Snowflake Symmetry
TITLE: SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY
Author: Zachary Baggett
Year: 2016
Artform: Visual Art
Grade: 3
Duration: 45 Min session
OVERVIEW
earners will explore the mathematical wonders of nature by discovering geometric patterns in snowflakes, and by creating fractal patterns of snowflakes using geometric stamps.
SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES
Cardstock Paper, Sky Blue
Physical or digital story of "Snowflake Bentley"
White Acrylic Paint Geometric Foam shapes including: Hexogon, trapazoid, rhombus, triangle etc. (Generally used for math in elementary school).
FINE ART STANDARDS
USOE Standard Objective 3 Recognize the connection of visual arts to all learning. Use a visual arts form as a help in expressing an idea in a nonart subject; e.g., a science project, the writing of a poem, a social studies project.
INTEGRATED STANDARDS
Geometry: Reason with shapes and their attributes (Standards 3.G.1–2). Standard 3.G.1 Understand that shapes in different categories (for example, rhombuses, rectangles, and others) may share attributes (for example, having four sides), and that the shared attributes can define a larger category (for example, quadrilaterals). Recognize rhombuses, rectangles, and squares as examples of quadrilaterals
TEACHING AND TIMELINE
INTRODUCTION (5 Min)
Begin a slideshow of snowflake images captured by William Bentley.
Ask students to identify similarities and differences in snowflakes. If students do not mention hexagonal shape of snowflakes, bring to their attention. Discuss fractals and geometric shapes in nature.
DEMONSTRATION (5 Min)
Show completed snowflake. Ask students to identify shapes used in image. Discuss shapes in core curriculum such as quadrilaterals. Demonstrate how to apply paint onto a foam geometric shape, spreading a thin coat evenly. Paint is tempera white, diluted down to a very liquid state. Fill bottom of bowls with a shallow coat of paint for students to pull paint from onto brushes. The largest set back to this project is having too much paint on the foam geometric shapes. This causes them to be slippery.
Begin with a hexagonal shape. Paint the bottom of the foam shape with a thin coat of white paint. Then stamp that foam shape onto a colored piece of paper. Choose a different shape and paint the bottom it. Stamp it once with one side touching a side of the hexagon. Repaint this same shape and stamp it again on the next side of the hexagon until you have done this six times and completed symmetry around the entire hexagon. Demonstrate the process of creating a more complex shape with radial symmetry by applying the same process to other shapes around each side of the hexagon.
WORK PERIOD 30 Min
Provide paint, brushes, foam shapes to tables demonstrating art readiness. Play a digital version of the Story Snowflake Bentley, or read the book to the class as they work on their snowflake paintings. Circulate room and identify needed help for students. Provide individualized instruction.
OBJECTIVES
Learners will discovery mathematical patterns in nature by observing macroscopic images of snowflakes Learners will learn about the photographer William Bentley Learners will apply artistic principles of shape and radial symmetry by creating a work of art utilizing a fractal pattern resembling a snowflake
CLOSURE/SUMMARY 5 Min
Have students clean up work spaces, wash bowls and brushes. Final discussion and review of geometry in nature.
INTEGRATION INFORMATION
Geometric Shapes and Patterns Fractals in Nature Historical Biography of William Bently Shape and Design as artistic principles Radial Symmetry
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Where can I find patterns in nature? Does math exist in nature? How can I view ordinary things in new ways with special tools like microscopes? How do simple shapes become complex shapes? Why do snowflakes form crystaline structures?
DIFFERENTIATION
Several teaching strategies are used including: 1. Visual Presentation 2. Oral Lecture 3. Visual demonstration with "think aloud" processes 4. Individualized instruction 5. Tactile project creation 6. Active response
HISTORICAL ELEMENT
William Bentley Share children's book "Snowflake Bentley" Discuss the process of photographing snowflakes Discuss the special microscope camera used by Bentley
VOCABULARY
Geometry
Hexagon
Rhombus
Trapazoid
Quadrilateral
Fractal
Radial Symmetry
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES Active Response Project Based application Artwork utilizing principles of geometry and radial symmetry
OTHER INFORMATION Emphasize how little paint is needed to properly stamp foam shapes. Emphasize rotating picture to match each shape on each side of the hexagon.
