Symmetry with Third Grade

As apart of our third grade Native American Unit in addition to the wacky weavings already completed, in a few weeks students will start making a totem pole animal out of cut paper.  To prepare for this students had a day to explore creating a symmetrical design.  Students were able to create a design that was representational or non objective as long as it was SYMMETRICAL.  We learned in order for something to be symmetrical shape and color needs on both sides AND  they have to appear as if one side can fold on top of the other, as if it was a butterfly.  We discussed how symmetrical art automatically creates BALANCE. We looked at two current artists who use symmetry as well as vibrant colors and shapes to get some symmetrical inspiration.  The first artist was Georgiana Teseleanu from Bucharest Romania and the other Patrick Hruby, who are alive and currently producing art.  We viewed an asymmetrical artwork by Hruby and decided although it was not symmetrical it still was BALANCED because it had equal weight on both sides. While we were cutting out shapes we decided if they were FREE FORM (shapes we see in nature) or GEOMETRIC (shapes such as circle, triangle, diamond, square).  After we created our colorful collages, we had some fun pairing up and putting ourselves in symmetrical poses. 

 

 

 

 

 

class display

 

class display

 

 

 

Georgiana Teselaenu

 

 Georgiana Teselaenu

 

 

Patrick Hruby

 

 

Patrick Hruby  (asymmetrical example)