Early Childhood

The Essential Questions
How can we employ formal balance in our artwork through bilateral symmetry?

Objective
Students will explore fine and gross motor skills while creating a symmetrical work of art.

Materials
a variety of drawing materials (crayons, paint sticks, oil pastels, and chalk pastels), 18 x 24" (46 x 61 cm) paper in various colors

Procedures
1. Share examples of bilateral symmetry in art and nature. (See Heather Hansenʼs Emptied Gestures performance videos for inspiration.)
2. Students stand and pretend to make big drawings with both of their hands simultaneously. We chose imaginary drawing tools, selected colors, and practiced moving our hands to make big circles, zigzags, and tall vertical lines.
3. Students select real drawing materials to work with on large paper. Encourage them to work with both hands simultaneously, but to try different colors.
4. Students explore the difference between small intentional movements (fine motor skills) and big sweeping gestures (gross motor skills) and combine them in one artwork.

Assessment
Do students understand symmetry and how it helps create balance? Did students exhibit control over their chosen medium and technique? Can students describe their process and resulting artwork?

Sue Liedke is an art teacher at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.