We had a number of scientifically decorated, coffee filters, left after making our owls, and the little ones wanted to turn them into snowflakes. It's a bit early for snowflakes, especially considering our forecast for the week is back into the 90's (hurray for summer!), but I had seen coffee filter snowflakes used in Margaret Kenda's Math Wizardry for Kids, for a lesson in symmetry.
So, we folded them in half (1/2)...
...and in half again (1/4)...
...and again (1/8).
Then, we snipped shapes out of them (my 4 year old needed some help, at this point, because the folded filters were pretty thick).When we unfolded them to reveal the designs, I pointed out the symmetry in the shapes, and the asymmetry of their original drip-dye coloring.
To stretch the activity, and make the concept of symmetry clearer, I cut the snowflakes in half, mixed them up, scattered them across the floor, and had the girls rematch the symmetrical shapes.
This was an easier concept for E (age 5), than for C (age 4), but they both enjoyed the game quite a bit. And, they loved making snow cone colored, snowflakes.
For more math activities for children, check out the Math Monday link-up hosted by Joyful Learner.
It's great to be a homeschooler.
I like the idea of cutting them in half and having the girls match them up. Pretty nice looking snowflakes there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! This is a great way to talk about symmetry! I love the idea of cutting them in half too and matching them up. It's these hands-on experiences that makes learning easy and fun (and they tend to remember it more!)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. My kids automatically ask to make snowflakes when they see coffee filters, and this will be a fun way to throw in a little math.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet. A lovely post. It is nice to see how you incorporate the sense of math in the other activities you do. I have noticed that you blend art and math frequently.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea. How much fun is that. And then cutting them up afterwards, how super fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know you are still in a summer mood, but the idea of snowflakes sounds pretty lovely to me right now... :0)
ReplyDeleteBeautitful!!! A great way to combine learning, art, math, and fun!
ReplyDeleteI like the snowflake idea. We tried something like this last winter, but Anna was clearly too young too appreciate them. Maybe more luck later this year when she turns 4.
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