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 also great for symmetry as it offers nice brush styles and many more points of symmetry than Purple Mash.

 

 

Begin by using the fill tool to colour the background of the page.

 

Choose a brush or pen style.

 

Select tools. The sliders above and below this button control brush thickness and opacity.

 

Choose symmetry and use the Symmetry points slider to adjust.

 

You can start a new page by clicking on the three lines and 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?