Radial Symmetry Exploration

Radial symmetry found in nature

Radial symmetry found in architecture

5th grade students were presented with these images of radial symmetry to appreciate how art and nature often mimic each other.  In radial symmetry, a pattern is repeated around a center axis. Students were given an 11x11 square paper to then fold into eight equal triangles.  We used hinge folds - folding the paper forwards and backwards on itself to make the crease more pliable - and then section off the square into eighths.  

Students were then told use their name to fill in an entire triangle.  Once the first triangle was filled in, I demonstrated how to transfer the image to the second triangle using a rubbing technique.  By applying pressure to the paper, the graphite from the pencil will appear as a mirror image in the next triangle.  This pattern of tracing, rubbing, and transferring is then repeated until all eight triangles are filled.

The beginning stages of transferring.

Look at these students go!

More to come as the projects rolls out!