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Lesson Plan Image

Radial Designs

Students will learn about radial symmetry and create original symmetrical designs.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Dry Erase Board

Steps

  • Step 1

    Explain that radial symmetry, also known as rotational symmetry, describes images that diverge outward from the center. Ask students to think of examples of this, such as a starfish, a snowflake, a sunflower, etc. Radial symmetry is often associated with organisms that have simple body plans that don't require complex movement, such as jellyfish and sea anemones, which provides a feeding advantage as they can capture food more effectively in a 360-degree radius.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to create a radial design, either on a dry-erase board or using markers on plain paper. They can begin by drawing a circle, then divide it into four equal sections. Then they can create a design and repeat it in a symmetric pattern in each section.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their designs and discuss how their drawing demonstrates radial symmetry.

Standards

MATH: Analyze, compare, create, and compose math ideas using written, oral, and drawn lines, shapes, forms, and patterns.

MATH: Create models that demonstrate math concepts and attend to precision.

MATH: Look for and create constructed or natural structures and patterns.

Adaptations

Hex signs are a form of folk art that originated in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where many Amish, Quakers, and Mennonites settled. They are often displayed on the sides of houses or barns. Many feature radial symmetric designs. Have students investigate the origin of these signs and look at some images of their design.

Have students create a design using a different type of symmetry, perhaps reflexive (or line) symmetry, where one half of the image represents the mirror image of the other half.