Lines of Symmetry

Students need to be able to identify if an object is symmetric or not, as well as identify lines of symmetry. This lesson plan introduces symmetry to students with hands on activities.

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to identify and find lines of symmetry. As well, they will be able to determine whether an object possesses lines of symmetry or not. 

Students should be able to provide the definition for a line of symmetry; as well they should have a good understanding of its meaning.

Opening Strategies

Have a student come up to the front of the class.  Using colored tape, make a line of symmetry down the middle of his/her body.  Ask students what they notice about his left and right sides of his body.  Are they the same?  Then ask students what symmetry is?  Define line of symmetry as a line drawn through a figure that creates two halves that are mirror images of each other.            

Middle Strategies

Have cut outs of: square, American flag, butterfly, foot, airplane, smiley face, house, snowflake, barber shop sign, rubber duck, and elephant.  Hold up each object and ask students if it has a line of symmetry.  Based on student's answers, fold each object to check for lines of symmetry.  If an object does have a line of symmetry, explain to students that an object can possess more than one line of symmetry, ie in a square. 

Ending Strategies

Students will be given a worksheet of the ABCs and asked to draw lines of symmetry for each letter, if there are any.  Remember some letters will possess more than one line of symmetry.    

Questioning

• What do you notice about the two sides of his/her body?
• What is symmetry?
• Does this object possess a line of symmetry?
• How many lines of symmetry are there?

• Color tape
• Cutouts of a square, American flag, butterfly, foot, airplane, smiley face, house, snowflake, barber shop sign, rubber duck, and elephant. 
• Cutouts WS for students (attached)
• ABCs worksheet (attached)

Use the ABCs worksheet to assess student's ability to identify lines of symmetry.  As well, assess student's engagement in the group activity and ability to answer correctly.