New
New
Year 4

Complete a symmetrical pattern

I can complete different types of symmetrical patterns.

New
New
Year 4

Complete a symmetrical pattern

I can complete different types of symmetrical patterns.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The mirror line shows where a mirror is placed.
  2. Patterns are symmetrical when they are exactly the same on each side of the mirror line.
  3. When placing a mirror on the line of symmetry, the image seen is the same as the other half of the symmetrical pattern.
  4. The pattern will be the same distance from the mirror line on both sides.

Common misconception

Children might spot the unit of repeat and draw a repeating pattern rather than a symmetrical pattern.

Allow children to fold and unfold painted patterns on the mirror line to see where each part of the pattern would be reflected. Printing is a great tool to create symmetrical patterns.

Keywords

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

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

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

There are opportunities for practical exploration at the beginning of this lesson to activate children's prior knowledge of symmetry. Prioritise time for this.
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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
How many equal sides and equal angles does an isosceles triangle have?
0
1
Correct answer: 2
3
Q2.
Complete the sentence. This triangle is __________ .
An image in a quiz
an equilateral triangle.
a right-angled isosceles triangle.
Correct answer: a right-angled scalene triangle.
Q3.
__________ triangles have 3 equal sides and 3 equal angles.
Correct answer: equilateral
scalene
iososceles
Q4.
This shape is symmetrical. One half of the shape is a __________ of the other side.
An image in a quiz
copy
Correct answer: reflection
match
Q5.
A shape has been folded in half. Which shape is it?
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
Q6.
Which of the shapes are symmetrical?
A
B
Correct answer: C
Correct answer: D

6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence. When a shape can be folded in half and both sides are the same, the line where you folded is called the _________
parallel line.
perpendicular line.
Correct answer: line of symmetry.
Q2.
Which of the patterns is symmetrical?
A
Correct answer: B
C
Q3.
What shape would go in this box to make the pattern symmetrical?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: square
triangle
hexagon
Q4.
What shape is missing from this symmetrical pattern?
An image in a quiz
circle
Correct answer: trapezium
triangle
square
Q5.
True or false. Sam has created a symmetrical pattern.
An image in a quiz
True
Correct answer: False
Q6.
What shape should be added to make this pattern symmetrical?
An image in a quiz
circle
Correct answer: square