New
New
Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes
I can compose symmetrical shapes from two identical shapes.
Lesson 4 of 10
New
New
- Year 4
Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes
I can compose symmetrical shapes from two identical shapes.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A shape is symmetrical when one half is a reflection of the other half.
- When you fold a shape on a line of symmetry, the two halves will match exactly.
- You can join two identical shapes together to create a new shape.
- When you join two identical shapes, sometimes the new shape will be symmetrical.
- When you join two identical shapes, sometimes the new shape will have no lines of symmetry.
Keywords
Symmetrical - When a shape, pattern or image has two halves that match exactly when folded, it can be described as symmetrical.
Line of symmetry - If you were to fold a shape at its line of symmetry, both halves would match exactly.
Identical - Two shapes that are exactly the same can be described as identical.
Common misconception
Some children will think that a parallelogram is symmetrical because it can be divided in half.
Demonstrate with folding and by using mirrors why dividing a parallelogram in half does not result in a line of symmetry. Allow children to explore this concept with cut-outs of different parallelograms.
There are additional materials provided for this lesson which will allow children to explore the concept of symmetry practically by using cut-outs of different triangles and quadrilaterals.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When one half of a pattern is a reflection of the other half, the pattern is __________.
When one half of a pattern is a reflection of the other half, the pattern is __________.
symmetry.
a line of symmetry.
Q2.True or false. This pattern is symmetrical.
True or false. This pattern is symmetrical.
True
Q3.How many vertices does a quadrilateral have?
How many vertices does a quadrilateral have?
Q4.Which of these shapes are quadrilaterals?
Which of these shapes are quadrilaterals?
pentagon
hexagon
Q5.Which of these statements are true for all quadrilaterals?
Which of these statements are true for all quadrilaterals?
They have a line of symmetry.
They have one right angle.
They have two sides the same length.
Q6.Match the description to the type of shape.
Match the description to the type of shape.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When patterns and shapes are symmetrical, both sides are __________.
When patterns and shapes are symmetrical, both sides are __________.
different.
halved.
Q2.True or false. These triangles are identical.
True or false. These triangles are identical.
True
Q3.These shapes have been made using two identical triangles. Which shape does not have a line of symmetry?
These shapes have been made using two identical triangles. Which shape does not have a line of symmetry?
b
c
Q4.Izzy created shapes using trapeziums. Which shape does not have a line of symmetry?
Izzy created shapes using trapeziums. Which shape does not have a line of symmetry?
a
b
d
Q5.True or false. This shape has more than one line of symmetry.
True or false. This shape has more than one line of symmetry.
False
Q6.This shape is made from 2 parallelograms. How many lines of symmetry does it have?
This shape is made from 2 parallelograms. How many lines of symmetry does it have?
2
1
