MathArts: Exploring Math Through Art for 3 to 6 Year Olds (Paperback)

~ MaryAnn Kohl (Author), Cindy Gainer (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

200 activities explore math through art for ages 3-6: an unusual age range to target, and an unusual yet effective approach. From making patterned reading pillows to collages and murals, this presents art projects which will require a parent or teacher's assistance to make sure both project and math concept are understood. -- Midwest Book Review

Each of the 200 hands-on projects in MathArts is designed to help children discover essential math skills through a creative process unique to every individual. Featured in a recipe-style format, the eight chapters in the book deal with concepts such as matching and sorting, developing patterns, learning sequence and order, and counting and measuring. The projects are illustrated and each contains a materials list, the process, and variations. -- Lifestyle Editor, The Standard Observer, Pennsylvania

In this newest book, Kohl and Gainer provide preschool teachers and parents with dozens of activities to show children that, like beauty, math is all around us if we only look for it. "MathArts" helps parents and educators integrate numbers, counting and simple arithmetic into a warm, comfortable, process-oriented art curriculum. -- Cleveland Daily Banner, Tennessee

MathArts contains a wealth of easy-to-do, creative art experiments that encourage children's natural development of math concepts. . . In MathArts the child is an active participant in the learning and creating process, manipulating concrete materials concrete materials through art media. The child can work as an individual, as a partner, in small groups, and in large groups. Engaging in these various activities the child will explore, discover and have fun through the process of art, rather than focusing on the finished product. From "Rainbow Button Jars" and "Story Ring" through "Layered Wiggle Art" and "Inside Outside Collage," these activities are innovative, adaptable, and very effective! -- The Midwest Book Review

This fabulous oversized guidebook contains 200 activities to help preschoolers explore math through art. As children learn sorting, matching, one-to-one correspondence, and patterning, they're developing essential math concepts. Add counting, measuring and number values, and preschool math is learned with fun! All supplies and materials are listed at the beginning of the project page, as are suggested ages, amount of preparation time, whether or not help may be required, and caution indicators. Explanations of which skills are reinforced with the projects validate once again, "Art IS fundamental!" -- Editor of All Together Now! FPG Child Development Center North Carolina

Product Description

This innovative approach uses creative art projects to introduce early math concepts. Each of the 200 hands-on projects is designed to help children discover essential math skills through a creative process unique to every individual. The possibilities are endless!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Gryphon House (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876591772
• ISBN-13: 978-0876591772
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,807 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful resource for early primary grades, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

While looking for a book to teach math concepts to my VERY kinesthetic 5 year old, I came across Matharts and it is a wonderful find. The concepts are solid, the activities are fun, the materials are easy to find and the mess factor is fairly low. I do think that the age range (3-6) may be a little low - the older childre I've worked with enjoy and learn from the activities as well. A terrific homeschool, preschool, or school resource.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comments from the Author, MaryAnn F. Kohl, August 27, 2001

By	LoveKids LoveArt "art4kids" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Math is in art, and art in math. It doesn't have to be a mystery anymore!! :o) These math-art projects are unique and new, and also can be enjoyed as art ideas without relating them to math concepts. As a former teacher, I found math could be daunting for many adults. With this book, it doesn't have to be anything more than an exploration of wonderful art projects. The concepts are for young children, but the art is for anyone of any age. I especially love the projects in this book for truly imaginative creativity. Some great group projects too. These are some of my very favorite art ideas to do with kids because they are so unusual. The math concepts are just part of the recipe!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Math is Beautiful?, June 11, 2000

By A Customer

My kids were delighted to find out that math is beautiful! The projects in this book are all art ideas that incorporate a strong math concept. I especially like how innovative and new the ideas are...very open and free process projects. I can see that these projects could be used with all ages, but the math concepts are really for younger kids. Excellent book, and what a unique approach to art! You can count on art (get it, COUNT on art?).