Butterfly Symmetry Painting


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This activity (on page 3 of the PDF) has learners create models of butterfly wings. They are given pre-cut butterfly-shaped construction paper, tempera paint and eyedroppers, and they create butterfly wings by dropping paint on only one wing, folding it over and replicating the pattern or marking on the other. Voila! Butterfly symmetry. By reflecting on their memories or ideas of butterfly wings, learners focus on key aspects of their appearance: color, patterns, markings and symmetry.

Quick Guide


Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes

Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes

Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student

Age Range:
Ages 4 - 6

Resource Type:
Activity

Language:
English

Materials List (per student)


  • Construction paper, cut into butterfly shapes
  • Washable tempera paints in paint cups
  • Eyedroppers

Subjects


  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Biodiversity
  • Mathematics
    • Geometry
      • Plane Geometry

Informal Categories


  • Animals
  • Arts and Crafts

Audience


To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Designed specifically for

  • Low literacy level

Other


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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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