by Cheryl Gleaton of Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library, Blakely, GA
Attract library patrons to visit weekly to participate in this multisession exploration of creating beautiful aquatic symmetry to decorate an aquarium diorama
Welcome to Aquatic Symmetry! This Beautiful Symmetry remix is created by Cheryl Gleaton, the STEAM Programming Coordinator for Children’s Programs at Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library, in Blakely, Georgia.
Why did you choose this remix strategy? How does it address a challenge or opportunity in your context? I love symmetry and patterns! Our library is participating in the Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program and we coordinate with our schools. I have started a program with fifth graders to build a large aquarium.
🌀 Remix ✋ Multi-Session 🥰 Ages 10+ 🕐 1–1.5 Hours 👩👧👦 up to 15 Participants 🍎 1–2 Facilitators 🎨 Craft Materials
Workshop Flow & Materials
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Session 1: Creating the Saltwater Aquarium
Notes Children from a fifth grade class were invited to create everything in an aquarium
Session 2: Introduce Symmetry
Notes First week of summer reading program
Session 3: Explore New Depths
Notes Paper plates, construction paper, ink or paint, ocean stickers and cutouts
Session 4: Seven Seas
Notes Origami paper
Session 5: Our Blue Planet
Notes Paper squares, glue, cardboard
Session 6: Our Blue Planet
Notes Clay, ribbon, paint, jewels
Supply Kit
Beautiful Symmetry Zine
Download here ↓
Reflections
Did you create any example projects for this prompt? Please describe. Yes I taught the students different types of origami and folds to do symmetry and create creatures.
What went well? What was challenging? We are working with student groups hoping to bring them into the summer program. One problem was giving the children time to explore and play with items in the box! After a few minutes of exploring they were ready to begin!
What did you celebrate? We celebrated the gifts of imagination from different students and homeschoolers. Participants learned new skills and shared ideas for the project. They learned that they could talk with each other and work out problems that accommodated most ideas to some degree.
Which of the PLIX facilitation techniques did you use or think about while planning this remix activity, if any? I gave them a frame and materials
What advice would you give facilitators planning to do this remix at their libraries? Give patrons time to explore and play with the items you are using. Most are not able to have these materials at home.