Second Grade - "Accidental Symmetry"

My recent lessons with the Second grade class has been teaching them about symmetry

and how symmetry is all over the world around us.

In this lesson, I wanted to show the students how to create "accidental symmetry" using

some very basic yet effective methods of printing.

First students use palette knives to scoop and plop various colors of tempera paint.

It is important to plop the paint near the center of the paper 

so as to prevent too much paint from squeezing out of the edges of the paper

 (you'll see what I mean soon)

 

 

After students have pressed a generous amount of paint into the middle of the paper, 

you will then want to lightly fold the paper horizontally or vertically.

Point the open part of the fold away from your body, then using a flat squeegee or in this 

case, you can use large tongue depressors or popsicle sticks.

Press the popsicle stick firmly onto the paper and push smoothly away from your body.

If you look closely, you will start to see the paint pushing to the edge of the paper.

You can even hold the paper up to a light to see for yourself, or even show 

students what they are doing with the paint.

After roughly 30 seconds to a minute of squeegeeing, peel open the paper...

VOILA! 

SYMMETRY!