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ART MAKES ME SMART – The Math and Art Connection

Embrace the beauty of math and art with this creative learning experience!

  • Girl painting a watercolor of a big hexagon beehive. Inside of the beehive hexagons are outlines of little measured flower shapes. On the table is a t ruler, ruler, watercolor palette, paper towel, and a jar of water
  • Boy coloring in Fibonacci Sequence with red, yellow, blue, and purple colored pencil colors. He is at a table with pencils next to him.

Ready to embark on a homeschool adventure like no other? With this innovative program, you'll take the first step in transforming your homeschool environment into an exciting hub of creativity and exploration. While art inspires creative wonder, math becomes a source of understanding. Join us as we redefine math education for homeschooling families and ignite a passion for learning that will last a lifetime!

  • A kid painting a green and purple succulent. She is painting on a wooden table with a paint palette, paper towel, and a jar of water next to her. In front of her is another finished succulent watercolor with faded brown watercolor background.
  • A girl gluing paper onto a project. The project is made of black paper with triangles, circles, rectangles, squares, and lines on it spread out and stacked on one another. The colors include teal, dark teal, light tan, and light brown. This is on a dark brown surface with cut out colored paper, paper measurer, and a ruler

Whether you have a mathematician exploring equations or an artist expressing emotion through brushstrokes—Art Makes Me Smart - The Math and Art Connection can offer a pathway to a deeper understanding of both. If you think about it, math and art are simply different languages - a way to communicate and appreciate the complex world around us. For linear thinkers, art can connect the dots to reveal patterns and explain the visual beauty of the world around them. For naturally artistic children, exploring math concepts alongside art projects can highlight how math is useful and can help them understand previously frustrating concepts in a new and fulfilling way!

We call it "The Math and Art Connection!"

  • Girl and woman sitting at table. The girl is painting a landscape scene of a road's path in sagebrush. The woman is watching her. Next to the painting is a watercolor palette and a jar of water.
  • Girl drawing a paper of circles with a pencil compass. The borders of the paper are a thick clear orange material with blue tape in the inside corners. In front of the drawing is a screen with an instruction video for the project. On the table is a linen tablecloth and a paint palette box and erasure.

Do you face any of these challenges when teaching math or art?

learning styles

Having children with different learning preferences means it's hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution. It's a challenge to fully inspire and engage each unique student.

limited time

The days are busy and long, and you feel exhausted. You want to supplement your core curriculum, inspire your kids, and find joy in teaching—but there's never enough time.

multi-level resources

Trying to find age-inclusive programs plus planning multiple lessons to engage each unique child is overwhelming! 

making the connection

You're searching for an easy-to-use resource to ignite your kids' curiosity about how math concepts apply in the world around them. Surely, there's a resource that will help make these connections?

ART

You want to present art to your kids, but there's so much to do! It feels impossible to fit art into your days without sacrificing time focused on core studies.

making MATH fun

Math is a must when it comes to core subjects, but it quickly puts you and your child on the struggle bus. You need an interactive way to infuse fun into math while fostering positive moments that reinforce mathematical concepts.

  • Girl measuring and drawing curved lines on a piece of graph paper. She is sitting at a wood table
  • Kid drawing watercolored fish. The fish is pink and purple watercolor and the background is green and blue watercolor. Sitting at wood table with a watercolor palette and jar of water next to him.

Art Makes Me Smart – The Math and Art Connection

A Note from our Founder, Hannah Stevenson

As a homeschool mom, I know how challenging it is to make math fun and help kids really understand it. As an art teacher, I have also seen art concepts frustrate both young and old. With my four children, each having their own unique way of learning, it's been quite a journey to find the right approach. But guess what I found? Using art can be a fantastic way to make math more engaging and easier to understand. And in the same way, using math can make art more accessible and doable for "non-artists".

I've found that integrating art into our daily studies sparked my kids' curiosity like nothing else. The Art and Math Connection, the latest solution from Art Makes Me Smart, blends math and art to suit all learning styles. Use this program to enhance your core subjects and inspire exploration and curiosity. Whether your child finds math challenging or enjoys its structure, and finds art a challenge, this approach works wonders!

With interactive lessons and hands-on projects, The Math and Art Connection will help your child build lasting connections to math and art concepts in an unforgettable way. After all, art makes us smart!

That's what Art Makes Me Smart – The Math and Art Connection is ALL about!

READY TO GET STARTED? CLICK TO ENROLL NOW!
  • Girl and woman sitting at table. The girl is painting a landscape scene of a road's path in sagebrush. The woman is watching her. Next to the painting is a watercolor palette and a jar of water. Over this picture in a faded white rectangle are the bold words in all caps 'Art Makes Me Smart'. In the t in art is a paintbrush. In the A in makes is a pencil compass. In the m in me is a ruler. And in the t in smart is a t ruler. Under these words in smaller swirly black text says The Math and Art Connection.

Let's explore more about The Math and Art Connection!

  • Girl coloring warped checkered squares at wood table. She is using a t ruler and has a grey moldable erasure, sharpie marker, and pencil palette next to her
  • Little girl sitting at table connecting dots to make beehive shapes on art makes me smart template. She is using a ruler. On the table is a linen table cloth with a art palette set and a chalk palette.

What's Inside in Art Makes Me Smart - The Math and Art Connection?

video

TUTORIALS

Prepare to be delighted with 10+ fun and immersive math and art project tutorials. Learn various methods of practicing these concepts with your children of all ages and stages. Bonus videos for younger children are included!

Educational Materials

Each lesson comes with printable learning packets that help you dive into the topics and support your child's learning. These packets include step-by-step instructions, project outlines, reference photos, activities, vocabulary, video resources, fun facts, and more!

laying a foundation

Rather than dive too deep into math concepts, the focus of The Math and Art Connection is to spark interest and cue up curiosity. The art projects help promote happy connections as the creative brain plays and explores—learning all along the way!

Supplies List

We’ve kept supplies to a minimum to make creating art easy and affordable! You’ll generally use the same set of supplies for these projects – many of which you may already have in your homeschool baskets.

Self-Paced

Start, skip, or re-watch again and again. You decide how fast or slow to go. You also have unlimited access to everything for as long as you are a member. This allows you all the time your family needs to explore, experiment, and learn.

Support

You’ll get access to our private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, meet other members from all over the world, and share your work! Our team is active in the group to give feedback and answer any questions you may have.

Resources for younger kids

As a BONUS, 15 additional companion videos are included for younger kids to follow along with their older siblings! Unlock creativity for little learners with easily adaptable projects and tutorials created just for them!

What Topics Are Covered in The Math and Art Connection?

  • Marble table with three pictures of pencil drawn 3d shapes. One is a cube on a surface, the other is a sphere on the surface, and cylinder on a surface. Next to these are pencils and a ruler

3D ShapE Shading

Get ready for an exciting journey of creativity in the three-part project! Older kids will have a blast exploring geometry as they draw and shade three 3D shapes. Meanwhile, younger kids will enjoy an engaging activity that introduces them to the basics of shading and value study.

Both projects use sketching pencils and blending stumps, giving kids the perfect tools for future artistic masterpieces!

  • A watercolor painting of a fish is sitting on a marble table. The fish is pink and purple watercolor and the background is green and blue watercolor. Next to it is a paintbrush, a sharpie, a pencil, a ruler, a watercolor palette, and a jar of water.

F is For Fish

Children of all ages will discover the magic of drawing using a grid and dive into the exciting world of positive and negative space as they paint a vibrant fish. Older children will make their own grid and use numbers and letters to make their art.

Sketching pencils and watercolor paints will bring their creations to life. Older kids will also enhance their skills by learning to use a ruler and t-square for added precision in their artwork.

  • Watercolor painting of a country road going into fading in the distance. It has mountains in the distance with a dark cloudy sky on top. The road is dirt with sagebrush on the side. The painting is sitting on a marble table with a ruler, a jar of water, a paintbrush, a sharpie, and a pencil next to it

Country Roads

In this two-part lesson, older children will dive deep into geometric perspective and scale while painting a beautiful landscape, along with learning some essential color theory. Meanwhile, younger children will have fun with a guided painting tutorial to create their own charming country road scene.

These projects use sketching pencils, T-squares, and watercolor paints. Younger children can easily follow along with a traceable or printed outline for their painting.

  • Black paper with one small dark teal diamond and one large dark teal diamond stacked in the middle. On the side are two squares with purple, yellow, blue, pink, orange, and blood red shapes in them. Next to this picture is a piece of graph paper, a glue stick, sharpie pen, and pencils

Pythagorean Butterfly

Older children will delve into the fascinating world of mathematics with an in-depth lesson on the Pythagorean theorem and apply Euclid's proposition to construct a unique butterfly pattern. Meanwhile, younger children will delight in creating mirrored shapes within a butterfly and drawing symmetrical sketches.

This project uses sketching pencils, paper, a T-Square, and watercolor paints. Younger children will paint their project using a traceable or printed outline.

  • Graph paper of Fibonacci sequence with numbers inside sections of the sequences and warped graph lines to fill in the sides. There are also letters on the outside identifying different areas of the sequence as well as a decimal number near the top right. This graph paper is sitting on a marble table with rulers, pencil, and a moldable erasure on next to it.

Fibonacci Gold

Discover the wonder of the Fibonacci sequence, one of nature's most mesmerizing patterns! Older children will unravel the mysteries of the Fibonacci sequence, explore its presence in the world around us, and master the art of drawing a golden spiral. Meanwhile, younger kids will engage in two delightful activities, where they'll learn the fundamentals of the Fibonacci golden spiral and unlock the secrets of number patterns and sequences.

We'll use graphing paper, sketching pencils, and rulers as we embark on this creative journey.

  • Watercolor succulent shown from the top with green and purple colors. Has light lines running through the middle to the ends for measurements. This painting is sitting on a marble table with a jar of water, a watercolor palette, a paintbrush, and a ruler next to it.

Spiraling Succulents

In this two-part lesson, older children will continue to unlock the secrets of the Fibonacci ratio as they craft a painting of a succulent plant. Meanwhile, younger artists will delve deeper into the world of the Fibonacci golden spiral, as they learn to create a stunning galaxy painting.

We'll use sketching pencils, a protractor for precision, and watercolor paints to bring your child's vision to life.

  • Black paper with triangles, circles, rectangles, squares, and lines on it spread out and stacked on one another. The colors include teal, dark teal, light tan, and light brown. It is sitting on a marble table and next to it is a paper cutter, a glue stick, and a cut out dark teal triangle and rectangle.

Ship shape Composition

Older children will dive headfirst into the fundamentals of art composition, igniting their creativity as they craft unique art pieces using a ruler, compass, and everyday objects for measurement. Meanwhile, younger artists will embark on their own creative journey with a special shape sheet, bursting with possibilities to color and cut out, allowing them to enjoy their own artistic exploration!

This project uses a ruler, drawing compass, scissors, and cardstock paper. Younger children will need crayons or markers and scissors.

  • Drawing of warped checkered design with the squares being purple and white. This drawing is sitting on a marble table with sharpie pen, ruler, and pencils next to it.

Line Illusions

Older children will explore optical illusions by creating drawings that cleverly manipulate perspective using simple lines. Meanwhile, younger artists will enjoy coloring patterns using a provided template, allowing them to create similar art projects to their older peers.

This project requires sketching pencils, a T-Square for accuracy, and colored pencils or markers to add vibrant hues to the creations.

  • Watercolor picture of the words penguin shown in 3D with the top having a red and orange ombre colors fading into white. Underneath the 3D word is the light blue colors. This is on a marble table with a jar of water, a watercolor palette, a sharpie pen, and a paintbrush next to it.

Wordplay

Older children will dive deeper into geometry as they explore the fascinating realm of 3D art. Our interactive tutorial will guide them in creating a fun bubble letter-style project, while discussing perspective and how to incorporate similar 3D titles into their nature journals. Younger learners will also delve into perspective and 3D shapes by making boxes from different viewpoints.

We'll use sketching pencils, rulers, and watercolor paints to bring these creations to life.

  • A watercolor of a big hexagon beehive. Inside of the beehive hexagons are outlines of little measured flower shapes. This is sitting on a marble table with a paintbrush, pencil, jar of water, and watercolor palette next to it.

Hexagon Honeycombs

In this two-part adventure, older children will be entranced by the intricacy and beauty of nature. First, they'll marvel at the perfect honeycomb pattern they create using a simple drawing compass. Then, they'll dive into a guided watercolor tutorial, bringing their honeycomb masterpiece to life. Younger children will delight in two engaging activities that explore hexagon fractions and encourage them to connect dots to create their own honeycomb of hexagons to color!

We'll use sketching pencils, a compass, T-Square, and watercolor paints to achieve this beautiful work of art.

Here's what others are saying...

"These art lessons connect real math concepts to art in a way that is fun, interesting, and engaging. The videos help to lead even the most reluctant/discouraged artist through the process of creation. The tangible element of art helps the concepts stick and have a piece of art to remember everything."

"I love adding education like this. Even though the lessons do not necessarily align with something we are actively learning about, they are highly educational and cover multiple disciplines, so it is a win/win!"

Laura S. (Mom of 5)

"The concepts are relevant to our life, environment, and many aspects of nature. I found this an engaging and hands-on way for them to learn and build good experiences with math and art using just a few simple tools. It will have us all looking for the concepts in real life now. What a neat way to encourage our brains to continue seeking the purposeful order and patterns of life all around us."

Jenny Beth (Mom of 3)

  • Kid's hands using a t ruler to measure little papers with colored in shapes on them glued to a black piece of paper. These are on a wood table

Your Life BEFORE Enrolling in The Math and Art Connection:

  • You struggle with nurturing a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and their application in the real world.
  • It feels impossible to find learning solutions that are age-inclusive and can be used by the whole family.
  • You want to offer more opportunities for creativity, curiosity, and exploration but there's so little time to pull it together.
  • Your children have different learning preferences and it's challenging to teach and engage each unique student.
  • YOU want to learn right alongside your children, but it feels hard to teach what you haven't completely grasped yourself.
  • Girl in red shirt is drawing circle shapes on paper with a pencil and ruler. In front of her is a computer with an art tutorial playing on it. On the dark table is a pencil compass, an open binder, scotch table and a water bottle.

Your Life AFTER Enrolling in The Math and Art Connection:

  • You feel confident using the tools and guidance provided and your kids are discovering things you'd never imagined!
  • Your kids are engaged in each art lesson, which keeps everyone interested while learning the same mathematical concept.
  • You feel prepared with the right resources that invite your children to become more curious as you create together.
  • You are able to utilize different strategies and techniques to cater to each individual child's learning needs.
  • Your kids are learning and YOU are too! Every lesson opens your mind to the practical applications of both math and art.

Meet Your Teacher

  • A woman in a blue shirt and short blond hair smiling. Behind her on a light wall are various paintings including fish painting, honeycomb painting, purple checkered painting, country road painting, and succulent painting.

Hi, I'm Alyson Harwood.

I'll be your teacher for Art Makes Me Smart - The Math and Art Connection.

In all my years as an artist, mother, and teacher, one of my favorite things is to watch eyes light up with the joy of creation! It is magical, and it is powerful!

I love helping families learn how to harness that power of creation in a way that unlocks and enriches other aspects of life.

When I am not teaching or creating, I love to read, take walks, and spend time with family and friends.

Begin Your Journey with Art Makes Me Smart - The Math and Art Connection Today!

Lifetime Access Payment

(Pay once and get lifetime access to the program)

Enroll for $97 $47 Lifetime Access

Frequently Asked Questions

Art Makes Me Smart is for anyone seeking to tap into the Math and Art Connection. The projects are ideally suited for kids ages 10 and up, but with the BONUS younger-kid videos and worksheets, students of all ages can join in on the fun! At Lily & Thistle, we hold a special place in our hearts for neurodivergent children. Our carefully curated resources are also designed to boost their confidence and nurture their learning journey.

Absolutely not—and that's what makes our courses truly special! We've carefully crafted our courses to ensure everyone can succeed, regardless of their art background. We provide templates and inspirational images for nearly all projects and guide you through each step, making the process smooth and enjoyable.

If you already have some art experience, these resources are still valuable! You'll not only expand your skills but also explore a wide range of math concepts and techniques, taking your artistic journey to new heights. So, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned artist, our courses have something exceptional to offer.

You will have access to everything directly in Teachable. Teachable is an easy-to-use online learning portal that keeps track of your progress so you can easily start and stop anytime.  You can access this course at the Lily & Thistle Teachable Creative Studio.

Think of the Math and Art Connection as a springboard into your core studies. It's a curated collection of creative resources and activities that weave together math and art, making learning both enjoyable and enlightening. The program is designed to come alongside, inspire curiosity, and deepen your children's appreciation for the beauty of mathematics. Whether you use a few of the lessons or all of them, you can create a tailor-made learning experience that perfectly fits your child's style and preferences.

Many of the essential art supplies you'll need may already be available in your home, such as a paper, ruler, compass, protractor, crayons, and markers. Additionally, we'll provide training on using watercolor paints and these mathematical tools.

To ensure a smooth start, we provide a detailed budget-friendly supply list with convenient links to all the required materials. So, whether you're utilizing familiar tools or trying out new techniques, you'll be well-prepared for a fulfilling artistic experience with Art Makes Me Smart. Check out our full list of supplies here.

Absolutely! This resource is a fantastic fit for classes or co-ops, offering pricing plans tailored to different group sizes:

  • Small groups: Access for up to 5 families.
  • Medium groups: Access for up to 15 families.
  • Large groups: Access for up to 30 families.

Your purchase provides you with a full 12 months of curriculum access, and there are no auto-renewals, so you have complete control over your subscription.

To get started and gain access, simply reach out to ​support@lilyandthistle.com​, and our team will be delighted to assist you. This curriculum is ideal for homeschooling co-ops and other homeschooling groups, offering a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for all participants!

I would never want you to be unhappy!  If you are unsatisfied with Art Makes Me Smart, please contact us within the first 14 days, and we will provide you with a full refund. You can contact us at support@lilyandthistle.com.

The Math and Art Connection is part of our Art Makes Me Smart collection of courses. Each course is sold separately. You can choose to purchase The Math and Art Connection Lifetime Access, which means you'll always have access to this course plus any updates made to it. However, any other courses within our Art Makes Me Smart Collection are each sold separately.

We would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Please feel free to reach out to us at support@lilyandthistle.com.

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