symmetrylesson

*Home* *About Us* *Contact* *Assignments* *Classes* *Portfolios*

Symmetry

Objective: To study the design principle of balance and understand its mathematical concepts. To demonstrate mastery of symmetrical balance.

Steps:

1. Try this symmetry puzzle at the following web site:

http://m759.freeservers.com/puzzle.html

2. Try at least two of the following activities:

(Introduction to Symmetry)

Title: ETA/Cuisenaire: Products - Plastic Mirrors

Comment: On-line source of the 2 ¼" x 3 ½" plastic mirrors using in this and subsequent activities of Investigating Patterns: Symmetry and Tessellations. Available in sets of 4 or 48 mirrors. The mirrors are also available from the author in sets of three (the maximum required for all activities), two of which have been hinged with cloth tape, for $3 US including shipping.

Title: Photo Activity for Symmetry

Comment: The left side of a human face is close to being the mirror image of the right side - but not exactly. Includes details on an activity requiring a digital camera and a simple drawing program, such as Paint Shop Pro. [Visit the Jasc Software Download Center to download a completely free, fully functional trial version of Paint Shop Pro that will run for 30 days.]

Title: The Butterfly Web Site

Comment: The most complete information on butterfly gardening, farming, ecology, and education. Includes a link to a Photo Gallery containing butterfly and moth images. Look for images with a symmetrical configuration. In most cases, a larger picture is available by clicking on a small picture.

Title: Manual of Traffic Signs

Comment: Contains graphics of the most commonly used traffic signs in the United States. You can use the site to challenge students to find symmetrical signs.

Title: SymmeToy - Symmetric Art Program

Comment: Permits downloading of a trial version of SymmeToy, a Windows program for creating paint patterns, symmetry roses, tessellating art, and so forth.

TOP

3. For more similar activities, explore the following site:

http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~jbritton/jbsymteslk.htm

4. Create your own symmetrical illustration by folding a 2x2 foot piece of paper in half, drawing a design on one-half of it and then tracing it onto the other half.

5. Color both sides identically.

Examples:

Title:	ETA/Cuisenaire: Products - Plastic Mirrors
Comment:	On-line source of the 2 ¼" x 3 ½" plastic mirrors using in this and subsequent activities of Investigating Patterns: Symmetry and Tessellations. Available in sets of 4 or 48 mirrors. The mirrors are also available from the author in sets of three (the maximum required for all activities), two of which have been hinged with cloth tape, for $3 US including shipping.

Title:	Photo Activity for Symmetry
Comment:	The left side of a human face is close to being the mirror image of the right side - but not exactly. Includes details on an activity requiring a digital camera and a simple drawing program, such as Paint Shop Pro. [Visit the Jasc Software Download Center to download a completely free, fully functional trial version of Paint Shop Pro that will run for 30 days.]

Title:	The Butterfly Web Site
Comment:	The most complete information on butterfly gardening, farming, ecology, and education. Includes a link to a Photo Gallery containing butterfly and moth images. Look for images with a symmetrical configuration. In most cases, a larger picture is available by clicking on a small picture.

Title:	Manual of Traffic Signs
Comment:	Contains graphics of the most commonly used traffic signs in the United States. You can use the site to challenge students to find symmetrical signs.

Title:	SymmeToy - Symmetric Art Program
Comment:	Permits downloading of a trial version of SymmeToy, a Windows program for creating paint patterns, symmetry roses, tessellating art, and so forth.
TOP