MARYLAND STATE STANDARDS

MD Math Standards:

• 4.NOS.B.6c – Students apply their understanding of multiplication and division as inverse operations to think of a division problem as a multiplication problem with a missing factor.
• 4.NOS.B.6d – Students can explain how their representation or strategy accurately represents division.

This activity supports enduring understanding by providing students with the opportunity to engage in number talks. The dividends will extend closer to 100 towards the end of the series, but every array/grid will allow opportunities for flexible thinking as students create multiple equations to describe each piece of art. Students can connect pieces of art to arrays, area models, and all four operations to deepen their understanding of the strategies required to solve multi digit division problems.

MD Arts Standards:

• VA.AS7.I:3-5:1 – Analyze similarities and differences between the elements of art in observed form.
• VA.AS8.E:3-5:2 – Interpret art through contextual information.

These standards focus on analysis and interpretation of existing artwork. In this routine, students are asked to view artwork not only as admirers, but also as mathematicians that can identify core math principles and how they might present themselves in a piece of visual art.

OUTSIDE OF MD?

Common Core State Standards:

• 4.NBT.B.6 – Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models

National Arts Standards:

• VA:Re.7.2.4a – Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.

ARTS INTERATED LEARNING OBJECTIVE

• Students will be able to identify core division concepts such as arrays, partitive and quotative division, and factors by analyzing pieces of visual art.

MATH DOMAIN

• Number and Operation Sense / Number and Operations in Base Ten
  • Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.
    • Divide whole numbers with up to four-digit divisors with and without remainders

COHERENCE

• Before: Recall or quickly derive multiplication and division facts within 100 (3.NOS.E.9)
• After: Divide multi-digit whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors.

MATH & ART SKILLS

• Math: Writing multiplication and division equations that describe an array / area model.
• Art: Analysis of visual art pieces

MATERIALS

• Slides

TEACHER BACKGROUND

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BRAIN TARGETED TEACHING IN THE CLASSROOM

This activity series combines a visual art example with an artful thinking routine to get students consistently analyzing art pieces through a mathematics lens.

Using Visuals to Build Thinking Habits – Visual Thinking Routines:

Visuals enhance memory more effectively than words alone (the picture superiority effect “a picture is worth a thousand words”).

Images are processed both visually and verbally, leading to deeper encoding and retention. Visual art also supports building strong thinking habits, including observation and interpretation, conceptual understanding, perspective-taking, and questioning

Using images helps make student thinking visible and promotes deeper cognitive processing. This is because it aligns with how the brain naturally learns: requiring students to slow down, make connections, and engage curiosity. In doing so, habits of thinking are reinforced. 

Harvard’s Project Zero Thinking Routines are an excellent resource. 

Artful Repetition for Long Term Memory – Engaging Repetition:

Repeated rehearsal is the process of revisiting information, or repeating it, to strengthen memory.

Arts integration naturally supports repeated, varied rehearsal by engaging students in creative, meaningful ways. Each artistic iteration reinforces learning while maintaining engagement.

Ex: Students create a song about the states of matter (solids, liquids, & gas) using lyrical substitution, then demonstrate the molecular structure of each state through tableau. The song can be used at the start of every class period throughout the unit for more repeated rehearsal (science)

The Emotional Climate:

Visual arts tap into positive learning systems and support students in applying their knowledge and skills in a non-traditional, open ended manner. It is essential that as many answers as possible are accepted. Any observations and equations students come up with to describe the art should be celebrated and encouraged.

The Physical Space:

The art present in this series will add novelty to the beginning of division lessons, and can also add to the classroom environment if teachers choose to print out pictures of them to use as decorations.

Learn More:

Learn more about Brain Targeted Teaching via Dr. Mariale Hardiman’s site.

ROOT BRANCH MEDIA GROUP – BRING ROOT BRANCH TO YOUR SCHOOL!

All video content made in partnership with Baltimore’s Root Branch Media Group.

MITCH HARRIS – BRING MITCH TO YOUR SCHOOL!

Mitch Harris is an actor, writer, and educator based in Baltimore. He believes in the power of the arts to tell meaningful stories, uplift communities, and enhance student learning. His work has taken him from Texas to India to Chicago and everywhere in between. From directing a creative writing program, to teaching elementary art, to performing in theatre for young audiences. Mitch believes that when students can connect both their brains and their bodies to big ideas, artistic and academic magic are sure to follow.

SAM SHELDON

Sam is a 4th grade Math and Science teacher at North Bend Elementary/Middle School. He has taught in Baltimore City Public Schools for 5 years. Sam’s journey with Arts Integration started with a summer spent working for SALA, and it has been an interest of his since. Arts were a large part of Sam’s educational journey, and his concert band conductor was Sam’s inspiration to become a teacher. Sam thinks that every student should be able to have intentionally designed lessons that meet all of their needs and interests.