Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes
I can compose symmetrical shapes from two identical shapes.
Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes
I can compose symmetrical shapes from two identical shapes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A shape is symmetrical when one half is a reflection of the other half.
- When you fold a shape on a line of symmetry, the two halves will match exactly.
- You can join two identical shapes together to create a new shape.
- When you join two identical shapes, sometimes the new shape will be symmetrical.
- When you join two identical shapes, sometimes the new shape will have no lines of symmetry.
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.
Identical - Two shapes that are exactly the same can be described as identical.
Common misconception
Some children will think that a parallelogram is symmetrical because it can be divided in half.
Demonstrate with folding and by using mirrors why dividing a parallelogram in half does not result in a line of symmetry. Allow children to explore this concept with cut-outs of different parallelograms.
To help you plan your year 4 maths lesson on: Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 maths lesson on: Explore symmetry by joining two identical shapes, 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 secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
A four-sided shape with four right angles.
Any four-sided shape.
A four-sided shape with four right angles and four equal sides.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
