New
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Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns
I can find lines of symmetry in real life contexts and design my own symmetrical patterns.
Lesson 10 of 10
New
New
- Year 4
Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns
I can find lines of symmetry in real life contexts and design my own symmetrical patterns.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are lots of real life examples where you can find lines of symmetry, for example in flags.
- When a pattern is symmetrical, you can fold along its line of symmetry and the two halves will match exactly.
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.
Reflect - When you reflect a shape, you flip it over a mirror line or line of symmetry without turning it or changing the size.
Common misconception
Children may think that a rectangular flag has diagonal lines of symmetry.
Allow children to cut out and fold the flags to help them see that a rectangle does not have any diagonal lines of symmetry.
Part of this lesson involves children planning their own symmetrical design for a t-shirt. Using a search engine, many real-life examples can be found that could be shared with the children. You may be able to link this lesson to the wider curriculum, for example design and technology or art.
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
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This line of symmetry is __________.
This line of symmetry is __________.
horizontal
vertical
Q2.True or false. This shape has been correctly reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry.
True or false. This shape has been correctly reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry.
True
Q3.Which image shows an incorrect reflection?
Which image shows an incorrect reflection?
a)
c)
Q4.Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
pentagons
octagons
Q5.Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
parallelograms
pentagons
Q6.This shape has been reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry. The new shape is a __________.
This shape has been reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry. The new shape is a __________.
rhombus
trapezium
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Rectangles have __________ lines of symmetry. Tick all that apply.
Rectangles have __________ lines of symmetry. Tick all that apply.
diagonal
Q2.Both flags have one line of symmetry. In which direction is the line of symmetry?
Both flags have one line of symmetry. In which direction is the line of symmetry?
Q3.How many lines of symmetry does this flag have?
How many lines of symmetry does this flag have?
1
2
4
Q4.This flag has lines of symmetry.
This flag has lines of symmetry.
Q5.True or false. This pattern has two lines of symmetry.
True or false. This pattern has two lines of symmetry.
True
Q6.Which of the patterns has two lines of symmetry?
Which of the patterns has two lines of symmetry?
a)
c)
