Symmetrical Designs: Teacher Notes

Communication — Students have to analyze and understand the meaning of the material that is presented to them and then use it to express their answers.
Personal and Social Values and Skills — Students have to communicate with each other and share personal opinions and insights about the concept.

Students will be able to create symmetrical shapes and determine the lines of symmetry.

Procedure:
Student’s Role:

Students get into pairs, select two geoboards, and some pattern blocks. One student will make one side of a shape on the geoboard and the other student has to make the other side of the shape so that it is symmetrical. Each student records his or her shapes on the dot paper indicating the line of symmetry and then they switch roles.

They can also try it using the pattern blocks. One student makes one side of a shape with the pattern blocks and the other student makes the other side so the shape is symmetrical. Each student records all his or her symmetrical shapes on dot indicating the line of symmetry. Students switch roles after each shape. They make at least 5 shapes using both the geoboards and pattern blocks. Dot paper is put in student’s portfolios

Teacher’s Role:

Teacher does performance assessment on students as they work assessing whether the students are making symmetrical shapes. Ask students where the line of symmetry is? Teachers also check dot paper in portfolio to evaluate students understanding of symmetry; if they have indicated the line of symmetry.
Adaptation(s)/Extension(s):

Put a ruler down before they build to indicate the middle of the shape so students know where the line of symmetry is.

Resources:
Saskatchewan Education. (1992). Mathematics: A curriculum for the elementary level. Regina, SK: Author.
Assessment/Evaluation:

Performance assessments - Assess whether the students make the symmetrical shapes. Ask students where the line of symmetry is? Refer to performance assessment form to go along with activity.
Dot paper is put in students’ portfolios to evaluate the understanding of symmetry, if they have indicated the line of symmetry.

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