Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Geometry - Line Symmetry


Symmetry is Everywhere!

Line Symmetry is when a figure can be folded so that the 2 parts are the mirror image of each other. The fold is the Line of Symmetry.



Lines of Symmetry can be:
  • vertical
  • horizontal
  • diagonal

Some figures, such as the heart above, have only 1 line of symmetry.
Some figures, such as the square below, have more than 1 line of symmetry.
The square has 4 lines of symmetry: 1 vertical, 1 horizontal, and 2 diagonal.

 

Here is a slide show by Scholastic Study Jams that the students might enjoy viewing about Symmetry. Click on the link below.

~ Lines of Symmetry Slide Show


Suggested Activities

  • Have students fold and cut out simple symmetrical designs with a piece of paper and scissors.  (hearts, trees, rectangles, etc.)                                        
                                                                                        

                                                     

  • Have students explore their home or classroom to find objects that have symmetry.
                                 

  • Have students explore their outside environment to find objects that have either natural or man-made symmetry. Take a camera!
                                                                          
                                        
                                                        
  • Have students look in books, magazines, or catalogs for pictures of objects that have symmetry. How many can they find?                                              



                                                                     
  • Have students list and/or sketch shapes that have symmetry. (A circle has an infinite number of lines of symmetry.)                  
                    
                                                
  • Have students list and/or sketch Capital Letters of the Alphabet that have symmetry. (Then they could draw the line(s) of symmetry for the letters.)      
                                                                                      
                                                                            


  •  Have students write their own names and check each letter for symmetry. Which student has the most vertical lines of symmetry in his/her name? Which student has the most horizontal lines of symmetry in his/her name? 
 
  • Using art supplies, have students create something or make a craft that has symmetry. 
                                                           

                                                                          
                                                                                
                         
  • Have students read books about symmetry.




Have fun with symmetry! It's everywhere!

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