Doodle Snowflakes: Geometry and Symmetry

Time Required: Two 45-60 minute sessions
Skill Level: Beginner
Recommended Grades: K to 2nd

In this lesson, students will work individually using the 3Doodler pens to doodle a geometrical snowflake that is also symmetrical. Students will review the concepts of geometry, patterns, and symmetry.

Note: Any links outside of the3doodler.com are optional resources. We can’t ensure their upkeep or accuracy.

Lesson Plan

Instructions

Step 1

Read the story Snowflake Bentley to your students. The digital read aloud can be found using this web link.

Step 2

Review with students what makes each snowflake unique. (Six branches that come off the center of a snowflake create a unique design each time.)

Step 3

Brainstorm 2D shapes that students know (ie. circle, square, triangle, trapezoid, diamond, pentagon, hexagon, octagon).

Step 4

Review how these 2D shapes can be used to create a pattern.

Step 5

Using pattern blocks, have students create a snowflake that has a pattern.

Step 6

Give students time to look at their peers’ patterns. What type of patterns do they see? Are any of the designs symmetrical?

Step 7

Review what it means to be symmetrical.

Step 8

If needed, guide students to redesign their pattern block snowflake to create a snowflake that is also symmetrical.

Step 9

Now have students take this thinking a step further by using patty paper to create a plan for their own snowflakes that are symmetrical. Demonstrate to students how they can fold their patty paper in half to create a symmetrical design. They can do this by drawing on half of the patty paper and rubbing the pencil, so it is transferred to the opposite side of the paper.

Step 10

Students should create a plan showing a symmetrical snowflake that creates a pattern with at least 3 different polygons.

Step 11

Students should use the 3Doodler pens to Doodle over their plan on the patty paper.

Step 12

Remove the snowflake from the patty paper. Feel free to hang the Doodled snowflakes around the room for a festive display.

Step 13 - TIPS

-Remind students to use the entire patty paper to create their snowflake. Using a larger amount of space will make it easier to print using the 3Doodler pens.
-Remind students to make sure their shapes are connected on their plan, so when the snowflake is removed from the patty paper it comes off in one piece instead of multiple pieces.
-Have students doodle over their plan at least two times. Creating a thicker design will help prevent the snowflake from falling apart when removed from the patty paper.

Wrap Up

Hang the snowflakes around the room for the winter season. Share pictures of the students’ snowflakes on Twitter. #3Doodler @3Doodler

Assessment

The teacher will assess students’ work based on if their design is symmetrical and creates a pattern with at least 3 different polygons.

Possible Extensions

Students can continue to build their knowledge of shapes by exploring using this this ABCya! game. Students can share their designs with classmates and have them determine what type of pattern they used in their design.

Resources

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin digital read aloud
3Doodler Snowflakes Slideshow by Brittany Ballou
ABCya! game using this web link

Vocabulary

  • 2D - of, relating to, or representing something in two dimensions.

  • 3D - of, relating to, or representing something in three dimensions.

  • pattern - an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical design or form.

  • polygon - a plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles, and typically five or more.

  • symmetry - the correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point; regularity of form or arrangement in terms of like, reciprocal, or corresponding parts.

Educational Standards

Common Core
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups

In This Lesson

The students will discuss geometry, patterns, and symmetry with peers and the teacher.

Common Core
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1

Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces. Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes.

In This Lesson

Students will recognize and create geometric shapes with the 3Doodler pens.

ISTE
1C

Use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

In This Lesson

Students use the 3Doodler pens to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways, as well as to enhance learning.

ISTE
6B

Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

In This Lesson

Students will create original snowflakes with the 3Doodler pens.

ISTE
4A

Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.

In This Lesson

Students use a deliberate design process to generate ideas and create 3D snowflakes with the 3Doodler pens.

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