Symmetrical City Skylines

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Fiona Black

Unit of Study: Art and Math

Subject: Art

Grade: 3rd

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*Age is flexible for this project! I have done it with 2nd grade as well.

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The Big Idea: 

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Learning about symmetry and how to create a symmetrical drawing.

 

Specific Essential Questions addressed in this lesson:

 

What is symmetry? What is the line of symmetry? What makes something symmetrical? Where do you see symmetry in your everyday life?

 

Learning Outcomes/Expectations/Objectives:

 

As a result of this lesson, students will understand that if we were to fold our symmetrical drawings in half down the middle, everything on each side would line up.

 

As a result of this lesson, students will know that the line of symmetry is the line that shows where the image flips onto the other side and appears unchanged.

 

As a result of this lesson, students will be able to utilize symmetry in their artwork.

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Learning Activities:

 

Introduction/Opening (5 minutes)

Begin by showing students images of shapes and objects and ask them if they think these things are symmetrical or not. Move on to showing images of reflections in water (animals and cities) and ask students to show the class where the line of symmetry is in the image.

 

Demonstration (5 minutes)

Remind Students how to use glue sponges and show them how to collage the paper shapes onto the line of symmetry in the center of the paper to build their city from the ground up. Show students how to draw the reflection of the city on the opposite side of the paper using colored pencils and their knowledge of symmetry.

 

Activity (25 minuets)

Students will work during this time period, remind them to create their city with shapes first and then use colored pencils to draw the reflection second.

 

Closure (5 minutes) *For when project is done [may take 2-3 classes]

Have students hang up their work and go around and discuss the details of their city, and if they think everything came out symmetrical.

 

Materials needed for the lesson:

• a variety of pre-cut paper shapes

• glue sponges [one per two students]

• pencils [one per student]

• paper (~12x18) [one per student]

• colored pencils

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Teacher Materials needed for demonstration:

• a few paper pre-cut shapes

• glue sponge

• one piece of paper (~12x18)

• colored pencils

 

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