My three younger students love to create works of art. Every week I try to think of ways (thank you Pinterest!) to combine art with planned lessons. Quite often, this is done by extending a book to add in an artful element of learning.

This past week, this was quite effortless. I love it when a good idea actually comes together! I know all teachers everywhere can totally relate. Holla!

I had been trying to snag A Million Dots from our local library for quite awhile. Last Wednesday, we finally found it available. I read it to them on Friday.

This book is so fun, because as you read through it you actually see a total of 1,000,000 dots! Each page shares a 6-digit number and an interesting fact. As we read the book my 3rd graders took turns reading the 6-digit numbers. They also read a page here and there, but this was my read-aloud to them that morning so mostly they listened while I read.

They loved it when I told them they could choose ANY 6-digit number, a favorite subject, AND we would do some research to write a fact about the number and subject matter.

Li’l Bro drew a blue whale and chose the number 751,482. He discovered in his research and using division that: It would take 34,158 blue whale calves laying end-to-end to equal 751,482 feet (Blue whale calves are 27 feet long.)

Li’l Miss drew a dolphin and chose the number 659,786. She discovered in her research and using division that: It would take 43,986 dolphins staying underwater for 15 minutes to equal 659,786.

Here are their final masterpieces!

They love their math-minded creations, and so do I! I’m not sure if you can see or not, but I made them dot paper just like in the book! I encouraged them to use a similar technique for outlining their artwork (with thicker markers) and then using a lighter medium (crayons) for filling them in so the dots still show up on their page.

* * *

Li’l Bit, my 4YO PreK student, was so excited to read the wonderful book Elmer with Mommy this past Friday too. To be honest, my 3rd graders listened in as well. This book is just precious and as a Momma to kids with differences, I just have to say thank you to all the teachers who read this book to your classes each year!

After we read it, I showed Li’l Bit how I had made some patterns and fun art elements on my paper. We used the last page of the book for inspiration. She was frustrated at first, but it didn’t take her long to realize she could add her own special touch to her paper and be as unique as Elmer!

She decided she wanted a Horse friend to go with my Elmer Elephant. I love that she knows she doesn’t have to choose an elephant! I did draw the horse on the back of her paper, but she cut it out all by herself and glued it to her construction paper. Then she used scrap pieces to decorate the edges.

Here’s my elephant example.

Finally, we added a piece of notebook paper, and she dictated a story to me:

 Lucy the Horse

Lucy is a pretty horse.

She loves to run and run.

A people came on the horse and rode her.

She is a wild horse.

She is so proud of her masterpiece!

I’m linking up at Mrs. Jump’s Class for Book Talk Tuesday.