Sometimes, we get inspired by nature to make art. In this math activity, students were asked to create 2D picture art with sticks. They were asked to only use 12 sticks and for them to be as straight as possible. Then, they were asked to identify shapes within their art.
We counted sides and noted the number of vertices. We practiced using words like un triangle, un carré, un rectangle…We started identifying special polygon shapes too, like un hexagone.
We ran out of time, but it would have been interesting to extend this activity by only using ‘small’ sticks. How would their picture art change? What if a range of stick lengths were used instead? Would that change the picture again?
This activity was taken from the fantastic book, Messy Maths, by Juliet Robertson.