In 6th grade math, students have been building their numerical fluency by studying ratios and double number lines. To kick off the Mosaic Walk, students watched a PBS documentary titled Treasures of New York: Art Underground that explores the last 25 years of the MTA’s Arts for Transit program. The film highlights some of the most eye-catching mosaics underground, the artists who created them, and the process of making their way from concepts to installations.
Next, students went on a Mosaic Walk through the East Village, tracing the steps of the Mosaic Man’s art on buildings and lamp posts along St. Mark’s Place. Students will capture images of the mosaic art they see, read historical commentaries on the mosaics, record student perspectives on the art, and consider the historical importance of public art. They even got a chance to meet Jim Powers, the Mosaic Man himself!
Back at school, students started planning out their own mosaics. They will each design a 100 unit grid mosaic square using 4 - 6 different color sticker ‘tiles’ and identify how many tiles they will use for each color. They will have to use ratios to make their complete design and describe the ratios of different colors using ratio language.
Ask your child to explain where they see ratios in everyday life. Can they use ratio language to describe different items at home?
