Welcome to 3D Symmetrical Bugs! This Beautiful Symmetry remix is created by Katie Pendley, of the Pioneer Library System- Norman East Branch, in Norman, Oklahoma.
Why did you choose this remix strategy? How does it address a challenge or opportunity in your context? I chose this strategy because I’m only able to visit our rural location once a month. So I used beautiful symmetry with my Young adults with Disabilities group and formatted it to their needs. I also left take and make kits.
🌀 Remix 🎒 Take-and-Make Kit 🥰 Ages 8+ 🕐 1–1.5 Hours 👩👧👦 up to 20 Participants 🍎 1–2 Facilitators 🎨 Craft Materials
Example Showcase
Prompts
Notes I did this again using a CD shape as the template for lady bugs and we glued our templates onto CDs to make symmetrical 3D sun catchers.
What prompt(s) did you use to frame the activity for your patrons? We looked around the room and found examples of symmetry that naturally occur, and talked about how there is symmetry in nature, and then asked each participant to create their own symmetrical designs on two of the templates. And then had them do a string painting on the third template to get an organic symmetrical pattern.
Supply Kit
Did you create any example projects for this prompt? Please describe. Yes, I made a simple version consisting of three different patterns. Two using color pencils and one using paint.
Reflections
What went well? What was challenging? Finding symmetry first really helped the participants understand what they were aiming for in their designs. Everyone was engaged and learned something. Wet paint was a challenge to our efforts to glue bugs together. I might not repeat that with the 3D bugs but highly recommend using paint to make interesting symmetrical art.
What did you celebrate? Symmetry, engagement, success!
Which of the PLIX facilitation techniques did you use or think about while planning this remix activity, if any? Low floors, wide walls, and high ceilings. Don’t touch the tools.
Are there any activity-specific facilitation tips that you used with patrons? Let students cut out, color, and glue the project together to their own ability level. Let them truly have ownership, and celebrate it!
What advice would you give facilitators planning to do this remix at their libraries? Don’t take too much time on your example. Everyone is on a different level and you never want to make anyone feel like they can’t achieve the outcome you are looking for.
Additional thoughts to share? If you are working with children or adults with disabilities, I think it’s best to format your activity to a difficulty level that fits your students who prefers more of a challenge and work backward on finding ways to adapt that for participants whose abilities are more limited. Adapt utensils to be more friendly for different motor skills and physical limitations, and have multiple mediums on hand. Have a backup activity that is more passive for people who finish early or get bored easily. Always celebrate each individual outcome as a success!