butterfly symmetry - maths week ireland · butterfly symmetry instructions: 1. pull out a sheet of...

Butterfly Symmetry

INSTRUCTIONS:1. Pulloutasheetofpaperfromyoursketchbook,oryoucanuseanykindofthickerpaperyouhavetohand.Placingithorizontallyinfrontof

you,taketheleftsideandfolditinhalfsotheleftsidetouchestheright.2. Drawonesideofabutterflyonthefoldedsheet.Makesurethatyoudrawthebodyofthebutterflyonthefoldofpaper.3. Usingscissorscutoutthebutterfly,makingsureyouarecuttingbothsidesofthepaper.Ifyourchildrenareconfidentwithapairofscissors,

byallmeansletthemdothecutting.Otherwise,aparentorguardianshoulddothispart.4. Openupthepaperandyouwillseeasymmetricallycutbutterfly.Yay!Nowthefunhappens.5. Pickonesideoftheinsideofthefoldedbutterflytoputpainton.Youmustonlyputpaintononeside.Onceyouhavepickedletyourchildstart

topaintit,makingsuretheyputenoughpaintonit.

What you will need: • Sketchbook or thicker paper • Black construction paper (for a body, optional) • Glue Stick (optional – for body) • Paintbrushes • Paint • Palette • Scissors • Pencil

ANOTE:atthispointyoucaneitherletthempaintonesidewithapaintbrush,orletthemsquirtpaintontothesidestraightoutfromthepainttube.Thereneedstobeenoughwetpaintonitforittotransferontotheothersidewhenpresseddown,sodon’tletthemtaketoolongpaintingotherwisethepaintwilldry.

6. Whenyouarehappywiththeamountofpaintontheoneside,carefullyhaveyourchildfoldthepaint-lesssideontothesidewithpaint.Gentlypressisdown,makingsureallthepaperissmoothedandpressed.We’dadvisemakingsureyouhavenewspaperdownorasplatmatunderneathassomepaintwilloozeout.

7. Gentlyopenupbothsidesandseethebeautifullysymmetricalbutterflyyouhavecreated!8. Leaveonasafesurfacetodrycompletely.9. Oncedry,youcancutouttheshapeofthebutterflybodyandapplyittoabackingsheetwithagluestick.