52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 33: Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe

Games don’t have to be complicated to require some good thinking skills. We all learn tic-tac-toe when we are younger. We soon learn how to always come to a stalemate with an equal opponent. Once you get the strategy, it can get a little boring… But what if we

art

Flipping Origami Class Video

After teaching this a few times this week, I created a video for those that missed it or want to go back. We made two different origami toys that have some flipping fun. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

art

Isometric Drawing (Class Video)

After teaching this a few times this week, I created a video so those that may want to pause and draw at their own pace while playing with isometric paper. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I love doodling on Isometric paper – enjoy! Here is a link to the isometric […]

fantasy

Fantasy Map Drawing Video Post from This Week’s classes

This is a post for my students on fantasy map drawing from our virtual classes this week. The video was too long for youtube, so hopefully you can all grab it here. This isn’t pro-video content (so forgive my “ums” and roughness). It is intended to allow students to pause and go at their own […]

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 32: Isometric Drawing

Let’s get out our pencils, isometric paper, and thinking caps this week! Isometric drawings are often used in engineering and design as a way to display 3D ideas. They can also be used to create optical illusions and escheresque works of art. To start, print some isometric paper, or

Comics

Kitty designs isometric scratch tower to annoy perfectionists.

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 31: Angle Inquiry

Sometimes the simplest things have wonder hidden within. This week, learners can play with the angles of polygons. How many degrees are in a triangle? In a quadrilateral? In a hexagon? Is there a pattern? Here is a warm-up activity: Draw a triangle (any triangle), and cut it out. Next,

Comics

Kitty is dumbfounded as to why a bird map causes panic…

With mom in chemo and sitting in the hospital 2-4 times a week lately, we have found the lack of access to masks and all the craziness a bit much. Humor is how we cope.

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 30: Coloring is not just for Kindergarten

This week, I challenge learners to play with coloring sheets. Make your own. Share them. Color them. Contemplate them. Can you restrict the coloring to four or less colors? It may take some problem-solving for more complex sheets. In graph theory, there is the study of graphs that are made

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 29: Design a Game

This week, learners can brainstorm game ideas and test them out with family and friends. Games can be prototyped with paper, clay, cardboard, maker equipment, and/or craft supplies. When I do this with classes, we often play or analyze games that we love prior to designing our own. This

Comics

Fractal Kitty Investigates: Box and Whiskers

Comics

Half-life effects on nine lives?

Comics

Kitty Counts Birds – Critical Mass

Comics

Laser Lights – Plan of Attack! 500,000 Kittens

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 28: Apollonian Gaskets

Apollonian Gaskets are a creative way to play with circles, fractals, and mindfulness in math. Students can cut out circles and place them within circles or practice their drafting skills with a compass and ruler. The idea is to draw a large circle and then fit smaller and smaller circles

Comics

Friggatriskaidekaphile

frig·ga·tris·kai·dek·a·phile/fɹɪɡə,triskīˌdekəˈ,fīl/ nouna person who has an extreme love for the friday the thirteenth.

Comics

Kitty’s deep thoughts while running…

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 27: Patterns in the Paper Weaving

I love fiber arts and weaving. So, I have one more weaving post for this series, but this time it’s with paper. This activity is great for all ages and can be done with ribbon, bias tape, or strips of paper. I like to use origami paper strips. The

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 26: Musical Math

You don’t have to be a musician to play with music and math. This week, I encourage learners to experiment with sound and patterns. Below is a list of ideas to experiment with: 1. Create a rhythm as an individual or a class that follows a sequence and build

Comics

Good Gordian! – Knotty Kitty

Makings

Makings: Wave Pendulum

I have decided to start a new category on this blog for my “makings” – items and projects that I have designed/created for classroom use, art, fiber musings, or just because. Today I decided to create an easy to store, easy to demonstrate, easy to build wave pendulum. I’ve built these in STEM classe

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 25: Loopy Doodle Math

Doodling and math? Yes, we can play with doodles and see what patterns emerge. Finding patterns and problem-solving are big parts of math. For this week’s hands-on math, learners are going to draw a loopy doodle where they start and end at the same point without lifting the pencil

Comics

Kitty Teaches Literature

52 Weeks of Math Activities

Week 24: Pastel Diagrams and Plots

Sometimes, math diagrams, plots, and examples can be a little dry in our books and on the board. This week, learners will be taking a diagram or plot that they want to improve upon and sketch it up with pastels, paints, or other media. Color, composition, and artistic embellishments can

Comics

Kitty Doesn’t Count Cards…