New
New
Year 2

Lines of symmetry

I can identify shapes and images that have reflective symmetry and explain where the line of symmetry lies.

New
New
Year 2

Lines of symmetry

I can identify shapes and images that have reflective symmetry and explain where the line of symmetry lies.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A line of symmetry is used to show that one half of a shape is a reflection of the other half.
  2. When an image is folded along a line of symmetry, the two halves will match.

Keywords

  • Line of symmetry - If you were to fold a shape on its line of symmetry, both halves would match exactly.

  • Reflection - An image or shape as it would be seen in a mirror.

  • Symmetrical - When a shape has a line of symmetry, it can be described as symmetrical.

Common misconception

Children may think that any line drawn down the middle of a shape is a line of symmetry.

It is important for children to see that a line of symmetry can be folded to give two halves that match - one half is a reflection of the other half. Explore folding cut-outs of symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes to find lines of symmetry.

Look for examples of reflective symmetry in the children's environment and when learning about other subjects e.g. lines of symmetry in flags or famous landmarks. Use mirrors to explore lines of symmetry in different shapes and to support children when drawing reflections in a line of symmetry.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each polygon with the number of sides and vertices that it has.
Correct Answer:triangle,3 sides and 3 vertices

3 sides and 3 vertices

Correct Answer:quadrilateral,4 sides and 4 vertices

4 sides and 4 vertices

Correct Answer:pentagon,5 sides and 5 vertices

5 sides and 5 vertices

Correct Answer:hexagon,6 sides and 6 vertices

6 sides and 6 vertices

Correct Answer:octagon,8 sides and 8 vertices

8 sides and 8 vertices

Q2.
Look at the image. These polygons are all .
An image in a quiz
hexagons
Correct answer: pentagons
octagons
Q3.
Which of these shapes is not a hexagon?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: a
b
c
d
Q4.
An has 8 sides and 8 vertices.
pentagon
hexagon
Correct answer: octagon
Q5.
These shapes have been sorted. Which shapes do they show?
An image in a quiz
pentagons
Correct answer: triangles
Correct answer: octagons
hexagons
quadrilaterals
Q6.
Match the shapes to their properties.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,is a pentagon.

is a pentagon.

Correct Answer:b,has 8 vertices.

has 8 vertices.

Correct Answer:c,is a quadrilateral.

is a quadrilateral.

Correct Answer:d,has 3 sides.

has 3 sides.

6 Questions

Q1.
When a shape can be folded in half and both sides are the same, the line where you folded is called the line of .
Correct answer: symmetry
reflection
symmetrical
Q2.
Which of the whole shapes match the folded shape?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
This shape is symmetrical. One half of the shape is a of the other side.
An image in a quiz
line of symmetry
symmetrical
Correct answer: reflection
Q4.
Which of the shapes are symmetrical?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q5.
Which shape is not symmetrical?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Jun has tried to draw the reflection of this shape. Which of the reflections is correct?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

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