The effects of integrating visual art on middle school students' attitude toward mathematics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of integrating visual art into a middle school mathematics classroom on students' attitude toward mathematics. The methodology involved a pre-survey/post-survey design and paired t tests for statistical analysis.; During the 3rd quarter of instruction, the researcher taught an integrated math/art unit that focused on transformations and symmetry, using the artwork of M. C. Escher as a resource. In order to measure any change in the participants' attitude toward mathematics as a result of the integrated unit, the researcher administered a Modified Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitude Survey prior to the integrated unit and then again following the integrated unit.; The results of the surveys indicated a statistically significant gain in the participants' attitudes toward mathematics as a result of the integrated math/art unit. Therefore, it can be said that the integration of visual art and mathematics is a valuable teaching strategy for middle school mathematics teachers.