An Art Lesson in Symmetry

Melted Crayon Art- Lesson Plan Submitted by: Teri Schlotman
Elementary art teacher at Villa Madonna Academy, Kentucky.

 

Procedure:

This is a good early project in symmetry. Following a description and illustrations of symmetry and asymmetry, Tell them they are going to create a symmetrical picture of an object.

 

Hand out the paper to each student. Tell them to fold paper in half so that there are two equal halves of the paper. Tell the kids to draw a picture on one half of the page (like half a butterfly, etc.). Make it clear they are only drawing half the object and it should end at the fold.

 

Then have then go over (pressing as hard as they can) the outline of the picture with black crayon. Then you as the teacher, must take a warm iron, and folding the paper again, press iron on paper. This melts their drawing to the other side of the paper making an exact copy of what they have drawn. Trace over the "print" with a black crayon. I then have the kids paint their drawings with water color. So, enjoy this project on symmetry!

 

Materials: White Drawing Paper Drawing Pencils black Crayons Iron Prang Watercolor Pan Sets water dishes Brushes See a similar lesson on IAD here.

 

NOTE: If students do the ironing, make sure they put have something under their picture because the liquid crayon will be hot and might get on themselves and the table. Also have a paper between the picture and the iron.

 

Links

Crayola's Melted Crayons page- This page has lessons and techniques for melting crayons. See also an insect symmetry lesson.

Uses for Old Crayons- This page has lessons and a list of things you can do with broken old crayons.

Autumn Crayon Melt Crafts - This page has a crayon melting lesson.

 

Resources

Books

A Day With No Crayons - When Liza's mother takes away her beloved crayons, her world suddenly goes gray. How does the budding artist repond? She squirts her toothpaste angrily and stomps through mud puddles. Through these acts, Liza inadvertently creates art-and eventually discovers color in the world around her. Liza loved her crayons.

 

I Can Crayon (Usborne Playtime) - Using large colourful photographs and simple step-by-step instructions, the books in the Usborne Playtime series present young children with ideas for various arts and crafts using crayons.

 

Symmetry - Dr. Weyl presents a survey of the applications of the principle of symmetry in sculpture, painting, architecture, ornament, and design; its manifestations in organic and inorganic nature; and its philosophical and mathematical significance.

 

Video on Demand

Harold and the Purple Crayon - Frustrated that he can't draw a perfect circle, Harold visits a museum. After experiencing all the different forms of art, Harold learns to appreciate his lopsided circles. He uses a purple crayon to draw his world. (PK-1 level)

 

DVD

A Favorite Factory Visit: Crayons!- Mr. Rogers visits a crayon factory. This video can be shown if you have extra time in your lesson. It's a great way to integrate science and art by showing students how things are made.