Radial Symmetry for Young Artists: Starting at the Center

Exploring mathematical concepts through radial symmetry.

Nancy Walkup

 

Young students can learn about radial symmetry or balance using just their eyes and the simple form of a paper plate while also working with simple mathematical concepts. To start this lesson, I asked students to look around the room to identify circular objects or images that had a central point and repeating lines and shapes that radiated out from the center. They pointed out the clock, the face of an electric fan, bicycle wheels, a color wheel, a big plastic snowflake, an umbrella, and a decorative plate. I explained that designs like these have symmetry: if you divide them in half, they look the same on both sides of the center line. I defined radial designs as those that start out from a center point and radiate like the rays of the sun or the spokes of a wheel.

Next I distributed paper plates and colored markers. I asked students to draw a line down the middle of the plate to divide it in half, turn it halfway around, and then draw another line across the center. I explained that they had now divided their plates into fourths and that they were going to repeat the same lines, shapes, and colors in each of the four quarters, starting at the central point. We reviewed different kinds of lines and shapes they could possibly use.

 

Drawing

I asked students to begin their designs by drawing a circular design in the center of the plate and then work their way around it, radiating out from the center, changing colors with each new design. I encouraged them to keep their designs closely together and to fill the plate with them. If desired, they could do a different design around the edges of the plate.

I often taught this lesson during the winter as it correlates very well to the structure of a snowflake, but you could adapt it for any time of year. A study of snowflakes can add complexity and interest to a study of radial designs. One option is to have students draw with oil pastels instead of markers, and then paint over them with black tempera. These directions also work well as a line printing activity, working on larger paper or collaboratively on paper-covered tables. A great resource for this lesson is the book, Snowflake Bentley, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin.

 

Nancy Walkup taught this lesson at Ryan Elementary School, in Denton, Texas. She is the editor-in-chief of SchoolArts Magazine and a longtime elementary art teacher. nancywalkup@mac.com