As elementary teachers we are required to teach the standards. But hey, we are elementary teachers! We want to do all the cute art and crafts as well. I do arts and crafts quite a bit in my 2nd grade classroom and I don’t feel guilty about it at all. That’s because I incorporate math in art. Today I’m sharing how to easily incorporate math in art with lower elementary grades.

 

Math in Art

 

I easily incorporate math in art by having my students complete what I call math crafts. Students solve the math equations on the pieces of the crafts, cut them out, and glue them together.

 

Students are able to apply what they have been learning in class. I even differentiate to students’ needs. Maybe a few students need more practice with subtraction math facts, other students need practice with 2 digit addition, and the rest of the students need practice with 2 digit subtraction. All of the math crafts I use have these options. I just print them for students.

Not only do they help students practice math concepts, but these crafts help students with fine motor skills. They are cutting, gluing, and using deeper thinking skills as they are assembling the craft. Those are important skills to practice for elementary aged children.

 

These math crafts honestly save my sanity. I love to assign them to students on a Friday afternoon. I am tired from the week and the students are really engaged with these crafts. I can quickly introduce the project to students and they are pretty independent to complete them. It makes a chill Friday afternoon activity.

 

These math crafts make great monthly bulletin board displays or hallway displays. Students work extra hard on them when they know their project will be hung up in the classroom or in the hallway.

 

So now you know why I love to incorporate math in art, but let’s look at these math crafts I use in my classroom.

 

Math in Art Projects

 

I have a monthly theme going on with these math in art projects. I start with a back to school math craft. After I teach students a couple math fact strategies, students are ready to apply those with this fun pencil wreath math craft. They solve the addition equations on the pencils and then glue them on a circle to make a wreath. It even has a sign that says, “My  Math Skills Are Sharp.” Students think the pun is really fun!

Find this Back to School Math Craft here.

 

For October, I have my students make a spider math craft. They solve the equations on the spider’s legs and they glue them onto the body. I have them accordion fold the legs. Students love to play with these.

Find this October math craft here.

 

For November, students make a cornucopia. There are different math equations on the fruit and vegetables that students solve and cute out. Then they glue it all together to show that the fruit and vegetables are coming out of the cornucopia.

Find this Thanksgiving themed math craft here.

 

In December, I have my students make a really fun 3-D Christmas tree. There are 4 tree outlines that students solve the math equations on. They fold these in half and glue them together to make a 3-D looking tree. Find this Christmas math craft here.

In January, I have my students make a snowflake math craft. This one is fun to make after you read the students a story book about snowflakes. My favorite one to read is Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. For this craft, I print the background page on light blue paper. Then students solve math facts on little white squares. They cut these out and glue them on the snowflake outline. These turn out really cute and I have students hang them up on their memory books. It decorates our classroom for winter really well.

Find this January Math Craft here. Find more winter themed math activity ideas here in this blog post: 5 Math Activities Perfect for the Winter Season

 

For February, I have students do a fun Valentine’s math craft. This is a heart wreath, so it has a similar set up as the Back to School Math Craft. Students solve the equations on the hearts, cut them out, and glue them on the circle to make a wreath. Then they glue on the sign that says, “My Math Skills Don’t Skip a Beat.” Again, students find the pun really fun.

Find this Valentine’s Math Craft here. Find more Valentine’s themed math activities here: 5 Valentine’s Math Activities That Are So Fun

 

In March, I have my students do a Shamrock math craft. I print the background page on green paper. Students solve the math equations and then glue them on the shamrock to fit on the leaves. This is another great project that fits on their memory books well. It decorates the classroom nicely for St. Patrick’s Day.

Find this St. Patrick’s Day math craft here.

 

In April, I have my students do an Easter egg themed math craft. This is in the same wreath format as the Back to School Math Craft and the Valentine’s Math Craft. Students solve the problems on the eggs, cut them out, and glue them on the circle to make a wreath. Then they glue on the sign that says, “Second Grade is Egg-Citing.” My second graders love a good pun! There is also a sign included that works for first grade as well.

Find this Easter Math Craft here.

 

You’ve heard the saying that “April showers bring May flowers?” That is why for May I have my students make a tulip wreath. They solve the math equations on the tulips, cut them out, and glue them on the circle to make a wreath. This one has a sign that says, “My Math Skills Have Bloomed.”

Find this math craft here.

 

My school year actually finishes at the end of may, but that last week of school students are so crazy. So for our math block on the last couple days of school I have my students do the math crafts for June and July. For June students solve equations on sun rays. Then they glue the rays around the sun that says, “My Math Skills Shine.”

Find this June math craft here. 

 

Then I have students do the July math craft. This is another flower craft. Students solve the equations on the petals and then glue them around the center of the flower. Then they glue on the sign that says, “My Math Skills Are Blooming.”

Find this July math craft here.

 

You can save money on all these math crafts by buying them in my year long bundle here.

These math in art projects do take a little time to print off on color paper. If you are looking for math art activities that are no prep, then these math art worksheets are a good option for you.

 

Math Art Worksheets PDF

 

Math coloring pages are a great option if you just want to print something off and have it be student ready. My students love these I Spy Math Fact Worksheets. These worksheets have monthly themed clipart. Each worksheet has students search for math facts that equal a certain number. Once students have found all of those equations, they get to color the pictures.

I like to set these worksheets out as fast finisher activities in my classroom. They also work as a great math center. Find these I Spy Math Fact Worksheets here.

 

I hope you have been able to see how easy it is to incorporate math in art with elementary aged students. By doing so you can have your students practice math concepts while doing a fun art project.

 

Doing these math crafts is just one way I have students practice math fact fluency. I have a free guide for 1st and 2nd grade students to help you get your students to math fact mastery: The 7 Steps to Ensure Math Fact Fluency

Download your free copy here.