String Art
The students created a small scale string art project and a very large scale string
art project that has been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Curriculum/State Standards
Readiness Activity
Students will understand the basics of
Cartesian coordinate planes.
Strategies/Activities
Understand the concept of a ratio and
use ratio language to describe a ratio
relationship between two quantities. (CCS
6.RP1). page 42
Overview
Students created a symmetrical design
using Cartesian coordinates as a
framework for the design. They used
nails/stakes as a way to string pieces of
string/twine around the points of their
design.
Objectives
The student will learn that on a Cartesian
coordinate plane there are 4 quadrants
and that each quadrant has different
properties (+,+ +,-, -,+ and _,_) by
playing a game in the cafeteria in which
the entire cafeteria is turned into a
“piece of graph paper” and we call out
coordinates and the students have to
physically step on that coordinate.
The student will learn to create a circle
using a point of origin and a piece of
string tied that point to create points
around the circle (radius).
Materials
string (30 packs)
twine (18,000 feet)
masking tape
nails (300 small finishing nails)
wooden stakes
30 feet of pine (12”x12” pieces)
spray paint
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GRADE LEVEL
View clips about how math is used
to create art and how symmetry and
patterns are math concepts that enhance
many forms of art.
1. View videos about math and art.
2. Writing research project – Write about
a famous artist who incorporates math in
their art.
3. Create a slideshow with the artists we
all researched and present to the class
about the artist.
4. Play Cartesian coordinate game in
cafeteria (use dry erase markers and
actually write on the floor!).
5. String art demonstration.
6. Use graph paper to plan individual
string art designs.
7. Transfer design onto wood and begin
to nail the points for individual projects.
8. Plan design for large scale string art
sculpture (60ft diameter).
9. Review with students how to create
a large scale of our group project using
wood stakes and twine.
Culminating Activity
The 60 ft. diameter was the culminating
project. We were attempting to set a
world record. The staff at Guinness
accepted our bid to set the world
record for the “World’s Largest String
art Project created by kids.” Two news
channels came and dozens of community
members. The fire department came and
took an aerial photo of the event as well.
Evaluation Method
A post-test was given (exactly the same
as pre-test).
THIS WINNING PROJECT IDEA SUBMITTED BY:
Amber Kilcoyne
Medfield Heights Elementary School
Baltimore, MD
4
14
PERIODS
$450
TOTAL BUDGET