Activity 3
Objective
Students will connect symmetry to their own lives, as well as to real world applications using prior knowledge and independent research of the topic. Students may choose to explore symmetry in nature, architecture, science, art, clothing design, or advertising. Students will create a final product that will explain to their classmates what they discovered through their research.
Procedures
As a warm up for this activity, I will have pictures of different symmetrical items. Pictures of things symmetrical items in nature, frieze patterns on buildings, symmetrical pieces of art, art created by MC Escher, pictures of symmetry in advertising (i.e. logo designs), pictures of symmetry in fashion, etc. I will also have pictures of these same kinds of items that are not symmetrical.
First the students will get a set of pictures of items that have symmetry and those that do not, and they will discuss in partners things that they notice about these pictures. They will use guiding questions such as, "What do you like about this picture? What do you not like? What do you notice about the image? Can you make a connection between any of the pictures and designs? Is there anything that you would want to change about what is in the picture?"
After the students are done with these discussion questions, I will ask them to look at the pictures again and separate them into two categories; item has symmetrical properties and item does not have (non-trivial) symmetry. Then the partners will discuss what role they think symmetry plays in our everyday lives. In what parts of our lives do we see symmetry? Was there any difference between how you felt when you looked at symmetrical items versus those that did not have symmetry?
This warm up will provide an opportunity for students to brainstorm different areas of their lives that they encounter symmetry. Together as a class we will compose a list of the different places we find symmetry, making sure to include the areas listed in the objective above.
The students will then be given the task to choose one of these areas to research. As they are researching they are to find examples to share with the class. The examples can be photographs they take of the item, the actual item itself, pictures from a book, magazine, or off the Internet. They are to research how symmetry is used in the particular area they have chosen. They must also provide at least three examples of symmetry and be able to identify what kind of symmetry the item has. They will be responsible for presenting this information to their classmates using a method of their choice (i.e. PowerPoint presentation, written essay, pamphlet, poster, video, etc.).
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their final product based upon the research they have done. They will be graded on the accuracy of their evaluation of the type of symmetry the objects have. I will also be looking for complete, thoughtful research using the guidelines the students were given for completing the task. That includes providing examples, as well as a final product with which they can present their research to their peers.
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