One-Sided Magic: 3rd Graders Explore Möbius Strips! ✨

Who knew a simple strip of paper could turn into a mathematical mystery? My 3rd-grade gifted learners recently dove into the world of Möbius strips, and the "aha!" moments were incredible.

After a 180-degree twist and some tape, they turned a two-sided piece of paper into a one-sided loop. They traced lines without lifting their pencils, cut them in half to find unexpected results, and realized that math is truly magical.

• Key Learning: Topology (exploring shapes that change)
• Reaction: Total amazement!

What we did:

1. We took a strip of paper and connected it to make a circle. We hypothesized what would happen if we cut the circle in half....2 circles of course! And they were right! (That's the example to the left).

2. Then, we took a strip of paper, turn one end 180 degrees, and taped the ends together to make a complete loop...aka a Mobius strip. We hypothesized what would happen if we cut this loop in half...we had many more guesses this time! One student guess we would end up with 2 of the same kind of loops. Another student guessed we would have a regular circle again. The result was one much bigger Mobius strip! (That's the example in the middle).

3. Finally, we took the same loop we made in #2, except, this time we cut it into thirds! We hypothesized yet again....now their brains were really thinking deep! You could see the excitement building! They knew something was going to happen but weren't sure of what the final result would be.

....The final result was TWO loops (Mobius strips) that were interconnected!! One small mobius strip and one large mobius strip...somehow separate shapes, but also connected...and all while making one single cut! Talk about magic! I hope they can recreate what they learned today :)

Agamograph Magic!

My gifted 3rd graders just blew me away with their latest project! 🤩 

We created agamographs — art that changes depending on the angle you view it from. Watching them move from side to side to watch their drawings transform from one image to another was pure magic. I hope they come home excited to show you their masterpieces!

Learning about geometric art from some of the masters! (Guidry's Homeroom)

Today, students learned about 2 famous artists known for their use of geometric shapes and optical illusions in their pieces. Bridget Riley uses simple shapes and lines in a variety of colors to create beautiful masterpieces. Victor Vasarely uses shapes and colors to create mind-bending optical illusions. Students had fun creating their OWN geometric masterpieces using shapes, colors, and patterns.

Darian

Sawyer

Toa

Preston

Lillie

Harley

Maddox

Learning about geometric art from some of the masters! (Bond's Homeroom)

Today, students learned about 2 famous artists known for their use of geometric shapes and optical illusions in their pieces. Bridget Riley uses simple shapes and lines in a variety of colors to create beautiful masterpieces. Victor Vasarely uses shapes and colors to create mind-bending optical illusions. Students had fun creating their OWN geometric masterpieces using shapes, colors, and patterns.

Audrey

Azeneth

Ramsey

Waylon

Henry S. 

Brindyl

Chloe

Hailey

Henry A.

Knox A.

Knox B.

Ryleigh

Learning about geometric art from some of the masters! (Farmer's Homeroom)

Today, students learned about 2 famous artists known for their use of geometric shapes and optical illusions in their pieces. Bridget Riley uses simple shapes and lines in a variety of colors to create beautiful masterpieces. Victor Vasarely uses shapes and colors to create mind-bending optical illusions. Students had fun creating their OWN geometric masterpieces using shapes, colors, and patterns.

Aranna

Baylor

Braelynn

Gaby

Kaylee

Miles

Eloise

Lucas

Raegan

Kayson

Learning about geometric art from some of the masters (Thomason's Homeroom)

Today, students learned about 2 famous artists known for their use of geometric shapes and optical illusions in their pieces. Bridget Riley uses simple shapes and lines in a variety of colors to create beautiful masterpieces. Victor Vasarely uses shapes and colors to create mind-bending optical illusions. Students had fun creating their OWN geometric masterpieces using shapes, colors, and patterns.

 Ace

Hunter

Talya

Brynna

Kenton

Jaxton

Arlena

Gunner

Eleanor

Hunter

One point perspective drawing

Students have recently been learning about the magic of math, and how optical illusions are under that umbrella. Yesterday, gifted students learned how to draw from a one point perspective. Students learned about a horizon line and a vanishing point. They were impressed with how easily they were able to take their sheet of 2-D paper and turn it into a piece of art with depth and distance!