Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Lines of Symmetry for Quadrilaterals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Explore how lines of symmetry help define different categories of quadrilaterals. Looking at a square, rectangle, trapezoid, and parallelogram, young mathematicians discover that each shape has its own, unique symmetry. Encourage your...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lines of Symmetry

For Teachers 1st
First graders create symmetrical designs using a computer program.  For this lines of symmetry lesson, 1st graders review their symmetrical designs and discuss other ways symmetrical designs can be made.  Students work in pairs...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Lines of Symmetry and Creating Reflections over a Line

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Fifth graders review the concept of a line of symmetry by using pieces of paper that have pictures such as, letters of the alphabet, polygons, and designs made from polygons in order to determine if they have symmetry. The fine,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mirror Symmetry/Mirror Images

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore lines of symmetry in geometric shapes. In this geometry lesson plan, students construct angles using mirrors and rubberbands, then predict the number of images that will appear in the reflection. Students reproduce lines...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A World of Symmetry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify lines of symmetry.  In this symmetry lesson plan, students create objects and identify their lines of symmetry.  They answer questions about lines of symmetry.  Students cut shapes out of cookie dough and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Symmetry

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use a software program to create artwork and to manipulate images to study mirror and rotational symmetry. They take pictures of items in their environment in which they identify symmetry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symmetry

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders find symmetry in nature. In this symmetry lesson, 3rd graders discover that symmetry is in nature and our everyday world. Students examine the alphabet for symmetrical letters then create their own artwork showing symmetry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symmetry in My World

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders demonstrate understanding of symmetry and identify objects that have symmetry. They use a mirror to get a visual illustration of what symmetry is. They create a collage of symmetrical pictures they find in magazines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflections of Symmetry

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students use video and the Internet to identify examples of bilateral and radial symmetry in the world around them. They create symmetrical reflection designs using pattern blocks and paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Learn about Symmetry

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars explore symmetry in architecture.  In this cross curriculum art  and architecture lesson, students fold paper to illustrate symmetry and identify symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes.  Young scholars observe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symmetry

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore symmetry. In this geometry lesson, student identify and define bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry, pentagonal symmetry, hexagonal symmetry, and cubic symmetry. Students construct examples of these types of symmetry and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symmetry of the Addition Table

For Teachers 1st - 3rd Standards
Help your class discover the commutative property of addition with this exploration of the addition table. By folding and coloring the table, a symmetry is found that directs students to an understanding of this crucial mathematical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cutouts

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students identify symmetry in shapes. In this geometry instructional activity, students fold paper to identify lines of symmetry. Students create various symmetrical shapes using folded paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Lao Design: Painting

For Teachers K - 8th
Students examine Lao art techniques and practice replication and modification of Lao designs. Maintaining a symmetrical image, they embellish designs with imagery and background color. They discuss the students' works and note the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tantalizing Tangrams: What Are Transformations?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use the Internet to learn about transformations and tessellations.  In this geometry instructional activity, students use the Internet to define the meaning of reflections, translations, rotations, glide reflection and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrates

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine invertebrates. In this animal classification instructional activity, students discuss invertebrates and bilateral symmetry. They discuss the importance of horse shoe crabs in medical science.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Draw A Face

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars discover how to sketch a face. In this sketching lesson, students explore the steps to construct a facial drawing. Spacing and symmetry of facial features are explored.
Lesson Plan
Willow Tree

Transformations

For Students 8th - 11th Standards
How does something go from here to there? Describe it with a transformation. Young mathematicians learn how to translate, reflect, rotate, and dilate an image. 
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Definition of a Parabola

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Put together the pieces and model a parabola. Learners work through several examples to develop an understanding of a parabola graphically and algebraically. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Characteristics

For Teachers 4th
Allow your students to review what they learned about animal characteristics with this PowerPoint. This slideshow includes 9 multiple choice questions and an answer key at the end. Tip: You can use this as an assessment by having your...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Turn About's Fair Play! Mirrors and How They Reflect

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Teachers can download this teaching package that looks at light and symmetry through the use of mirrors. Students will enjoy the nine mirror challenges, along with the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will...