- Definition
Asymmetry is when two sides of something, like a person's body or a dance formation, don't match up perfectly in size, shape, or position.
A painting of a tree with a big, heavy branch on one side and only small branches on the other is asymmetrical.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Asymmetry is like drawing a person waving, so one arm is up and one is down, making the two sides of their body different.
Ask your child: What's different about the left side and the right side of this picture?
Common mix-up: Kids may think that if something isn't symmetrical, it's a mistake. Asymmetry is a tool artists use to create energy and interest.
Examples
- In a dance, having three dancers on one side of the stage and only one dancer on the other creates asymmetry.
- A drawing where a character on the left is large and a character on the right is small.
asymmetry is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
