Skills to Create – Pilot for the 2026-27 School Year

Connecting Math and Art

WHY? Math and Art are often viewed as polar opposites. Nothing could be farther than the truth. Think of them as fraternal twins. In some ways they do not look alike but other ways they are strongly connected, work wonderfully together and end up looking very similar.  Making these connections will enhance skills and understanding in both subjects. 

WHAT AGE? I have found students starting as young as 6 years old often grasp more than you think. I never oversimplify my art classes no matter what age. Learning is presented and practiced in brief (3-10 minute) sprints. 10 minutes max. The intention is to glean and process a piece of it, allowing it to individually develop.

Course 1: Seeing Beyond the Obvious

This course values: Curiosity over perfection, Observation over speed, Awareness over rules

A few minutes a day is enough. The key is to encourage the habit of spontaneous observation.

Series 1 Tools and Clues Everywhere

Lesson 1 – Straightedge, Seeing Straight Lines (free sample to see if you would like to proceed)

Expectations to continue

Lesson 2-Square Corners (Right Angles)

Lesson 3- Perpendicular

Lesson 4- Angle Finder

Lesson 5 – Acute, Obtuse, Right and Straight Angles

Lesson 6 – Horizontal Lines, Vertical Lines and the Horizon

Lesson 7- Students complete an artwork or photo-based piece that intentionally uses lines, angles, and spatial relationships explored throughout the series. The week concludes with a guided reflection where students share what they learned about seeing, creating, and connecting geometry to everyday life.

Series 2: Shape, Balance & Composition

These concepts build on lines and angles to introduce shape, structure, and visual balance through both math and art.

Lesson 1 – Squares and Rectangles

Lesson 2 – Starting an Abstract Page

Lesson 3 – Finding the Center of a Square or Rectangle

Lesson 4 – Center vs. Off-Center Composition

Lesson 5 – Circles

Lesson 6 – Finding the Center of a Circle

Lesson 7 – Completing Your Abstract Art

Art Standards (National Core Arts Standards – Visual Arts) While I did not write this course to align- The below information will be helpful for those who are required to include alignment information in their records.

This course aligns with Visual Arts standards emphasizing process, observation, and creative thinking:

• VA:Cr1 – Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas through observation and exploration
  
• VA:Cr2 – Organize and develop artistic work using tools and materials
  
• VA:Re7 – Perceive and analyze artistic work and visual surroundings
  
• VA:Cn10 – Connect art concepts to personal experience and the world
  

Students learn to see structure, line, and space as both mathematical and artistic tools.

Integrated Learning Outcomes

By blending math and art, students:

• Strengthen visual-spatial reasoning
  
• Build confidence with geometry concepts
  
• Develop observation, creativity, and problem-solving skills
  
• Learn that math and art are connected ways of understanding the world
  

Standards Alignment (Condensed)

This course aligns with Common Core geometry concepts and National Core Visual Arts Standards. Students explore lines, angles, and spatial relationships through observation, hands-on tools, and creative practice, strengthening visual reasoning, problem-solving, and real-world connections.