Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can find lines of symmetry in real life contexts and design my own symmetrical patterns.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This line of symmetry is __________.
Q2.True or false. This shape has been correctly reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry.
Q3.Which image shows an incorrect reflection?
Q4.Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
Q5.Look at these shapes that have been reflected. Both shapes are __________.
Q6.This shape has been reflected in a diagonal line of symmetry. The new shape is a __________.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Rectangles have __________ lines of symmetry. Tick all that apply.
Q2.Both flags have one line of symmetry. In which direction is the line of symmetry?
vertical
horizontal
Q3.How many lines of symmetry does this flag have?
Q4.This flag has lines of symmetry.
Q5.True or false. This pattern has two lines of symmetry.
Q6.Which of the patterns has two lines of symmetry?
To help you plan your 4 maths lesson on: Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 maths lesson on: Investigate symmetry and symmetrical patterns, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Properties of 2D and 3D shapes and symmetry unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.