I am a math teacher at Hamilton Holmes Middle School, located in King William, Virginia. I am always looking for fun and exciting ways for students to explore and learn concepts in math. I have always been inspired to bring art in the math classroom. This year the art teacher, Mrs. Oberg, and six grade math teachers, Mrs. Peck and Mrs. Bailey, received a grant that incorporates art and math. Art and math have teamed up, to give the students the opportunity to participate in creating an art project which incorporates and enforces the math standards of learning.
Anticipating Pi day, I was searching for ideas for the classroom and I was drawn to a Pi print. Under the print there was a caption, “Tell me why you like the print.” I immediately emailed the artist, and explained how his artwork reminded me of the peace wall in Jackson London Square, in Oakland California and that my students were getting excited about celebrating pi day on March 14. The next day, I shared the pi print to my math classes and on Friday, March 14, we had an awesome Pi day. Students left class, talking about having the best day ever in math. I had accomplished my goal.
However, the best present ever, arrived on Tuesday, March 18. A package was delivered to our classroom. As I opened the package, I started shaking. Michael Albert, a well-known pop artist from New York, sent our school, a sign copy of the Pi Print, along his whole collection of pop-art signed, and a personal note for my students. My students (one of my favorite classes ever) were so excited. My students are learning so much more than math from this experience, they are learning how math is related to art, music, and science, but most of all my students are learning about the art of giving.
http://www.michaelalbert.com/
