Fifth grade symmetry project- hammers and headaches!

The fifth graders became very proficient hammer handlers after this lesson. It was SO noisy- but totally worth it! I cut wood into squares for them, they planned their design (using their math standards we reviewed, thank you Mrs. Orihuela!), painted, then added nails as close together as possible (that was the tough part!) to enhance their design and then colored the heads of the nails if wanted. There were so many visual layers to explore- it was awesome!

Ahhhhhh- hammering ;).

 

Using their brainstorming worksheets as a reference. Painting their design.

They built upon their painted design by using different size nails.

The happy faces cracked me up- clever!!!

They used paint pens to paint the tips of the nails.

Kindergarten's symmetry project- up to my eyeballs in pom poms ;)

 

For the symmetry project each grade level used a material that was developmentally appropriate for them. My favorite part of using pom poms for the kindergarteners was that it gave them intense practice gluing with a glue bottle and gluing a material that is not paper. That's tricky! And very good for them!!

 

When they thought they were "done" (or bored with the project maybe ;)) we pretended to put our "detective glasses" on to hunt down any white spots that were not covered. If they found a white spot they had to fill it in with a pom pom. This took a lot of perseverance! I wanted to hug them to pieces when I would see one of them quietly leaning over their piece, putting their little hands to their eyes like glasses, searching for white spots. Love!!!

 

First Grade symmetry projects.....made with little plastic gems.

I found all of these little plastic gems from a website in California. I kept telling the kids to pick up the pieces that fell on the floor because it would be hard for me to order more from California in a timely manner. They were so cute by the end of the project while they were cleaning they were talking about doing a good job so I didn't have to call California ;) ;).

How incredible is that design!????

So, so, so great!

Third grade symmetry project continued....

I actually found ONE picture of a completed piece ;)- so here ya go!

Madison's symmetry project ;)

Madison is in third grade and is incredibly motivated and talented. When she chose her design she wanted each section to be one color. That might not sound like a big deal but she had to sort out these teeny, tiny green and clear pebbles from a slew of other colors mixed together-this girl is not lazy!! This took her a lot of time so she didn't get to finish during class time.

Last week I sent materials home with her so she could complete her piece. True to her wonderful nature she was done in less than a few days ;)- and this is the beautiful picture that her mom sent to me.

You rock Madison!!!! I am always super proud of you!!