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!