Symmetry: 4-6th Grade

I have been so busy, I've forgotten all about posting on here! This is a project my 4-6th graders did at the beginning of the year. We talked about symmetry and emphasis. This is also a good project for positive/negative space! Students were instructed to use complementary colors unless they had permission from me to do otherwise.

Radial Symmetry: 6th Grade

Sorry about my awful photography on these next projects! I introduced my sixth graders to types of symmetry before tackling this project. To accomplish this project, I pre-cut paper into squares (12x12) and had my students fold them into eighths. I had a box of shapes on the counter for students to start out with. I encouraged students to add their own organic shapes as well.

A lot of students struggled with knowing where things repeated, but most of the students understood after the first day.

Pictured below is my own, unfinished example:

A few of my students are fellow Doctor Who fans!

These students did an EXCELLENT job on their pieces!

A display at one of my elementary schools.

2nd Grade - Formal Balance/Symmetry Butterflies

I used butterflies to teach symmetry/formal balance to my second graders!

Here are the steps! We did this over the course of 2-3 days:

1. Fold 12x18 white paper in half like a card.
2. Draw half of a butterfly.
3. Trace in oil pastel.
4. Fold so that the drawing is on the inside.
5. Rub over drawing with a craft stick - the oil pastel will transfer to the other side.
6. Open up and trace over the transferred oil pastel.
7. Watercolor - make sure students know to make it the same on both sides!
8. Cut out and glue to a piece of colored construction paper.