MATERIALS:
Paper (recycled or construction paper), scissors, a pencil, glue (optional), crayons or markers (optional)
TIME FRAME:
15 – 60 minutes
PROCEDURE:
- Take a piece of paper and fold it in half, end to end
- Draw half of a butterfly shape
- Keeping your paper folded in half, carefully cut it out
- Once your shape is cut out, your butterfly should have two symmetrical sides!
- Decorate your butterfly using crayons, markers or other pieces of paper and glue (decorating each side the same will keep your butterfly symmetrical
REFLECTION:
What other creatures have noticed that are symmetrical? Why do you think they look that way? How else could you draw a butterfly (or anything else) that is symmetrical?
CONNECTIONS:
Is anything perfectly symmetrical? Look in the mirror at your face…are your eyes exactly the same? Your ears? We are all gorgeous in our imperfections, don’t you think?
TIDBITS:
Symmetry means having two equal sides. As you begin to look around, you will start to notice that many items in nature are symmetrical! Flowers, rocks, maple seeds, leaves, feathers, shells, mushrooms, and apples, citrus fruits, and onions (when cut in half). Why do you think this is?
TIPS:
If you are having a hard time cutting out the antenna, try cutting it out separately and gluing it on later to avoid the frustration of trying to cut such a thin sliver out while cutting the rest of your butterfly out! Keep practicing, though…if it’s hard the first time, it will get easier and easier the more your practice!
