For the Teacher
Teacher Overview
This unit is meant for grades 4-6. These lessons provide students with a way to explore pattern, repetition and rhythm simultaneously through math, visual art and music.
At this point in mathematical study, students understand the basics of patterns. However, when it comes to identifying, analyzing and generating patterns that follow specific rules, students can run into difficulty. In this lesson, students use a series of rules in both the creation of a mandala, as well as that of the 12-bar blues in music to create a joint artistic piece that represents harmony through patterns, repetition and rhythm.
For the final project - if possible, try to record the finished presentations. You can do this either with audio recording software like Garageband or Audacity, or you can video record it. This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase math, music and visual art intersecting in real time.
Printables
You can download this PDF packet of all the printable documents in this unit. This may save you time when looking for handouts. Simply download the packet, select the printable handout you want students to use and make as many copies as necessary for your class.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PACK OF PRINTABLES
Assessment
There are two assessments for this unit. One is the rubric found below. The other is a student assessment which can be used during the performances in class.
DOWNLOAD THE STUDENT ASSESSMENT CARD
STANDARDS ASSESSED
CORE Standards Addressed
These are the standards that will be assessed at the end of the unit.
Math Standards
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.OA.C.5: Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself.
Visual Art Standard:
VA:Cr2.1.4a Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.
Music Standard:
MU:Cr1.1.4b Generate musical ideas (such as rhythms, melodies, and simple accompaniment patterns) within related tonalities (such as major and minor) and meters.
ADDITIONAL STANDARDS ADDRESSED
Additional Standards Addressed
These are the standards which are also addressed in the unit, but which are not the focus for assessment of skills and process.
Math Standard:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.C.5.A: An angle is measured with reference to a circle with its center at the common endpoint of the rays, by considering the fraction of the circular arc between the points where the two rays intersect the circle. An angle that turns through 1/360 of a circle is called a "one-degree angle," and can be used to measure angles.
Standards of Mathematical Practice
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 Model with mathematics.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.
Visual Art
VA:Re.7.2.4a: Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.
Music
MU:Re7.2.4a: Demonstrate and explain how responses to music are informed by the structure, the use of the elements of music, and context (such as social and cultural).