Line symmetry and reflection

Term 3 starting in week 6 :: Estimated time: 1 weeks

Recognise line symmetry
Reflect a shape in a horizontal or vertical line 1 (shapes touching the line)
Reflect a shape in a horizontal or vertical line 2 (shapes not touching the line)
Reflect a shape in a diagonal line 1 (shapes touching the line)
Reflect a shape in a diagonal line 2 (shapes not touching the line)

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Activities for pupils

Here are some related resources in alphabetical order. Some may only be appropriate for high-attaining learners while others will be useful for those in need of support. Click anywhere in the grey area to access the resource.

Transformations Video A demonstration of the four basic transformations: reflection, translation, rotation and enlargement.

Polygons Name the polygons and show the number of lines and order of rotational symmetry.

Tridots Find all the triangles that can be drawn by joining dots on a 3 by 3 grid of dots.

Transformations Draw transformations online and have them instantly checked. Includes reflections, translations, rotations and enlargements.

Tessellations Drag the shapes onto the canvas to create tessellating patterns then try the tessellations quiz.

Click on a topic below for suggested lesson Starters, resources and activities from Transum.

Transformations A transformation in mathematics is an operation performed on a shape (or points) which changes the view of that shape (or points). This topic includes four transformations namely reflection, translation, rotations and enlargement. A reflection can best be described as the mirror image of a shape in a given line (which acts as the mirror). After reflection the shape remains the same size but the orientation is the mirror image of the original. The transformation known as a translation can be thought of as a movement or shift in position. The size and orientation of the shape remains the same but the position on the plane changes. A rotation can be described as turning. This transformation is defined by the angle of turning and the centre of rotation (the point which does not move during the turning). Finally enlargement is the term we use when a shape increases in size but maintains the same shape. The shape after enlargement is defines as being similar to the shape before enlargement. His use of the word similar has a precise mathematical meaning. All of the angles in the enlarged shape are the same as the angles in the original shape and the lengths of the sides are in the same proportion. An enlargement is defines by the scale factor of the enlargement and the centre of enlargement. We use the term enlargement even if the shape becomes smaller (a scale factor between minus one and one). A negative scale factor will produce an enlarged mirror image of the original shape.

Lesson Starters

Here are some suggestions for whole-class, projectable resources which can be used at the beginnings of each lesson in this block.

1st Lesson

Reflective Cat

On squared paper copy the drawing of the face then reflect it in three different lines.

2nd Lesson

Mirror Maths

The bottom half of some symmetrical calculations are shown above. Can you work out the answers?

3rd Lesson

Dice Reflections

A dice is reflected in two mirrors. What numbers can be seen?

Some of the Starters above are to reinforce concepts learnt, others are to introduce new ideas while others are on unrelated topics designed for retrieval practice or and opportunity to develop problem-solving skills.

White Rose Resources

End of block assessments provide a quick progress check at the end of each block of learning to make sure students have understood the content covered.