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Podcasts Take Two
Math by way of art: For Pasadena school, arts plus math is really adding up
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May 10, 2013
Listen • 5:08
Math by way of art: For Pasadena school, arts plus math is really adding up
A Pasadena elementary school uses art to teach third graders addition, subtraction and long division. An advocacy group wants to expand the program across the state.
Third grade student Eder counts the amount he'll need to purchase art supplies to create a sculpture. The project is part of a grant funded endeavor that places teaching artists from the Pasadena Armory Center for the Arts with classroom teachers to help them teach integrated arts lessons.
Third grade student Eder counts the amount he'll need to purchase art supplies to create a sculpture. The project is part of a grant funded endeavor that places teaching artists from the Pasadena Armory Center for the Arts with classroom teachers to help them teach integrated arts lessons.
(
Mary Plummer/KPCC
)

A Pasadena elementary school uses art to teach third graders addition, subtraction and long division. An advocacy group wants to expand the program across the state.

For the past several years, math proficiency scores for California's elementary students have lagged behind those in English and science. Administrators and teachers have been asking themselves the same question: How do you bring those scores up in a workforce that relies more and more on technology?

KPCC's Mary Plummer found teachers who are trying a creative approach.