Combining Art and Math: Creating a Symmetry Garden

This is a sweet, collaborative project that reinforces two types of symmetry: radial and bilateral. Students each color a flower, insect, or wooden sign. The teacher provides green paper or fabric as the backdrop. Then put all of the elements together to make a beautiful garden! Optional: use play dough and straws to make the elements stand up.

This is a memorable project for kids and the small paper wooden signs remind them that the insects have bilateral symmetry, while the flowers have radial symmetry. For more interaction, attach the insects to straws and students can have them flutter around the garden!

Find flowers and insects in magazines, have students draw them, or check out our symmetry garden lesson plan for all of the elements you need!