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Lesson 6 of 18
Lesson 6 of 18
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Rotational symmetry
I can recognise rotational symmetry in shapes.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Congruent shapes can be used to investigate rotational symmetry.
- The centre of rotation is the centre of the shape.
- You must be careful not to count the starting point twice.
Keywords
Rotational symmetry - Rotational symmetry describes when a shape appears the same after some rotation. The order of rotational symmetry is the number of times the image appears the same as the object in one full turn.
Common misconception
When rotating a shape to count its order of rotational symmetry, pupils may count the starting position twice: once at the start and then again at the end of the full turn.
Encourage pupils to be consistent with when they count the starting position, either always counting it before they begin rotating the shape or always counting it at the end of the full turn.
Spend a little bit of time exploring examples of where rotational symmetry can be seen in art, architecture, nature or other aspects of life. Alternatively, task pupils with finding some examples for themselves after the lesson, either by taking photographs or searching the internet.
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).
Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.The transformation that turns an an object around a fixed point is called .
The transformation that turns an an object around a fixed point is called .
Q2.The is the fixed point about which an object is rotated.
The is the fixed point about which an object is rotated.
Q3.There are exactly five equal sized angle around a point. Each angle is °.
There are exactly five equal sized angle around a point. Each angle is °.
Q4.Which quadrilateral is always regular?
Which quadrilateral is always regular?
parallelogram
rectangle
rhombus
trapezium
Q5.The arrow on the left can be rotated ° clockwise to create the arrow on the right.
The arrow on the left can be rotated ° clockwise to create the arrow on the right.

Q6.The rectangle ACDB is rotated to give rectangle D'B'A'C'. The angle of rotation is °.
The rectangle ACDB is rotated to give rectangle D'B'A'C'. The angle of rotation is °.

Assessment exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.Rotational describes when a shape appears the same after some rotation.
Rotational describes when a shape appears the same after some rotation.
Q2.An equilateral triangle has rotational symmetry of order .
An equilateral triangle has rotational symmetry of order .
Q3.A scalene triangle has rotational symmetry of order .
A scalene triangle has rotational symmetry of order .
Q4.Which of these quadrilaterals always has rotational symmetry of order 4?
Which of these quadrilaterals always has rotational symmetry of order 4?
kite
parallelogram
rectangle
trapezium
Q5.The wheel in this picture has rotational symmetry of order .
The wheel in this picture has rotational symmetry of order .

Q6.Starting with the lowest, order these shapes according to their order of rotational symmetry.
Starting with the lowest, order these shapes according to their order of rotational symmetry.