Introduction

Recap the images and types of patterns found in nature from last week. The patterns from last week were created in repeated rows or columns, ask - what other ways could patterns repeat? What is symmetry? Can you think of any examples of symmetry in nature?

Here are some examples:

• Flowers
• Leaves
• Tree bark patterns or rings
• Snowflakes
• Insects, birds, and other animals
• Fruit and vegetables (especially when sliced)
• Shells

Look at some photos of symmetry in nature in the teacher’s presentation.  

Ask - Can you think of any more examples of symmetrical patterns in nature? Ask them to search for some symmetry in nature images of their own, again reminding them of the same online safety points and how to save images as in the last lesson.

 

Symmetry paint tools

2Simple Slice

Introduce 2Paint a Picture > ‘Slice’ from Purple Mash. 

 

 

 

Demonstrate creating symmetrical patterns using the Slice tool, and that dragging the segment can create different numbers of segment repeats.

 

 

Encourage them to use a variety of pen sizes for adding detail. There are some examples created with this tool in the teacher presentation if you want to share them with your students.

 

  

 

Like last week, the children should aim to create a number of images using symmetry inspired by nature. They should again save each image separately into their Documents folder with a different filename e.g. neil4, neil5, neil6 etc.  

Here’s some example nature patterns made with 2Paint a Picture - Slice: 

 

 

Sumopaint

Next show them Sumopaint This is a great online art tool that can be used for a wide variety of things, but it is great for symmetry as it offers a more advanced toolset and many more points of symmetry than 2Simple. 

From the homepage, click on Open. 

 

 

When the page loads ensure you are on the paintbrush tool.

 

 

The right-hand side of the screen contains many useful settings. Make sure you are on the Tool options section.

 

 

You can find the symmetry option in the Drawing assist section. Tick to activate it and then use the slider or type in the number of points of symmetry you wish to use (up to 18).

 

 

You can then adjust many features of your brush in the Tool options section. Alter the brush thickness with the diameter of the brush. Opacity can be good for layering up colours and patterns. 

 

 

The Brush Tip button gives you the choice of a huge range of brush shapes, including many nature-themed options such as leaves and flowers. These can be used like stampers when creating your symmetrical patterns.

 

 

 

Colours can be changed from the colour swatches or colour pickers sections. 

 

 

Ask the children to experiment with these tools, perhaps also making use of the fill tool (from the main tools on the left of the screen) to change their background colour. It's better to do this at the beginning before they start to create their pattern.

 

 

You can start a new page by clicking on File > New.

 

 

You can also Save your work from here to save it to your computer.

 

 

Examples made with Sumopaint

These examples were created with Sumopaint:

 

 

Start with a plain background or create your own before adding the symmetrical pattern on top. This image also uses the blur and smudge tools:

 

 

 

Plenary

Ask the students to compare the two tools they have used, ask:

• What were the main differences between 2Paint a Picture - Slice and Sumopaint?
• Which do you like better? Why? 
• Can you think of anything that would improve the tools further?
• Which is your favourite piece of work from today? Why?