Symmetry Lesson Plans

Students explore symmetry.  In this shapes and symmetry geometry lesson, students define and identify the 3 basic forms of symmetry- translation, rotation, and glides.  Students cut out and arrange  paper pattern blocks to illustrate symmetry, create a Cartesian graph, and design a rug with a symmetrical pattern.

Students explore symmetry in architecture.  In this cross curriculum art  and architecture lesson, students fold paper to illustrate symmetry and identify symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes.  Students observe photographs or take a walk in the neighborhood and identify symmetry used in architecture.  Students participate in related web site activities and use wooden blocks to create examples of symmetrical structures.

Students view an image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and identify the focal point of the painting. They discuss symmetry and balance as it pertains to the images. Students use the Student LaunchPad (linked to this lesson) to help them identify these elements in the images.

Students explore the symmetries of an equilateral triangle. In this instructional activity on symmetry, students determine the composition of given equilateral triangles using both rotational and reflectional symmetries.

The introduction of symmetry is the focus of this terrific geometry instructional activity. After an initial discussion on shapes and symmetry, student groups are given a digital camera to take pictures of symmetrical shapes outside the classroom. In the computer lab, they utilize the Paint program to draw shapes using symmetry. Some excellent blackline masters are embedded in the plan.

Students examine symmetry with their bodies and create symmetrical pictures.  In this symmetry lesson, student view Cowboys Roping a Bear. Students discuss the composition of the painting. Students look for symmetrical elements and then draw their own picture.

Students draw symmetrical shapes. In this symmetry activity, students complete a self assessment worksheet. Students draw shapes that have lines of symmetry. They then check for rotational symmetry and show the relationship between lines of symmetry and number of sides a shape has.

Third graders understand what a line of symmetry is and how to draw symmetrically. In this monster symmetry lesson, 3rd graders create an original monster that is symmetrical. Students participate in additional symmetry activities.

Students investigate symmetry. For this symmetry lesson, students discuss shapes and designs in gardens. Students have a picture of a garden on one half of a piece of paper, they fill in the other half to make it symmetrical. Students then make a symmetrical garden with tissue paper.

Students design butterflies.  In this symmetry instructional activity, students examine butterfly pictures, discuss the symmetry of their wings, and create their own symmetry patterns.