Insect Symmetry – A Family Math Night Activity
Math and art. It’s always a huge hit at our Family Math Night events. Since we were using our Gellin’ with Geometry kit and the event was in the spring, I decided to tie geometry and spring together and came up with a springtime symmetry activity. Enter our insect friends.
The type of symmetry I focused on was bilateral symmetry. It’s the same as mirror or reflection symmetry except that when it comes to biological creatures – like our insect friends – biologists call it bilateral symmetry. Bilateral symmetry is dividing a figure in half by exactly one line so that the halves, if “folded” are identical.
As we do with all of our Family Math Night activities, I created three levels of activity sheets – Beginning (K/1), Intermediate (2/3), and Advanced (4/5). Each level had three different insects to choose from. And just for fun, I also included a challenge at the Advanced level.
Here’s an example of the ladybug at the Intermediate level. Notice how it’s on a grid. This grid is super important as it helps guide students in drawing their lines. Artists often use grid lines when they want to scale a design. We aren’t scaling in this project but the grid lines help in the same way.
Bonus: For another super fun activity I do with upper elementary students that involves using the grid method to scale drawings, click here.
Although this activity is super fun to do at a Family Math Night event, it can also be done in the classroom. The younger students, however, will need some help. This is the perfect time for a buddy class of older students or parent volunteers to come work with the littles!
Click here for the lesson plan.