Symmetry, Reflection and Coordinates

Take an in-depth look at how shapes plotted on a coordinate grid can be transformed in many different ways! These five complete geometry lessons explore translating, reflecting, rotating and enlarging/reducing shapes on a grid, including using algebraic terms to describe some of the transformations. If you choose to teach all of the lessons in sequence – towards the end of the week, children may apply what they’ve learned by identifying translations which produce congruent shapes, and make tessellating patterns.

This downloadable Maths lesson pack contains lesson plans, slideshow presentations and printable teaching resources.

 

Translating Shapes

Remind children of the features of coordinate grids, then challenge them not only to describe shapes on a grid in terms of the coordinates of their vertices, but also to then translate them to new positions! The slides clearly explain how to do this, and the included printable resources provide opportunities for children to practise.

This downloadable lesson comes with a lesson plan, slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 1

Reflecting

Learn all about another type of transformation: reflection. Challenge children to reflect shapes on a grid accurately across horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. They may then practise this skill during either of the two included activities.

This downloadable lesson comes with a lesson plan, slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 2

More Reflecting

Take a closer look at reflection! Children will firstly find lines of symmetry inside shapes, then explore ways in which shapes can be reflected using mirror lines in a number of different positions: bisecting the shape; touching the shape; NOT touching the shape!

This downloadable lesson comes with a lesson plan, slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 3

Congruent or Incongruent?

Which types of transformation produce new shapes which are congruent with the original? The included slides with this lesson show and explain in clear, simple terms what congruency is, and which times of transformation produce congruent shapes. Then, there’s a choice of two activities, where children can immediately practise transforming shapes to produce new shapes which are congruent.

This downloadable lesson comes with a lesson plan, slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 4

Tessellation

Understanding how shapes can be translated can help us make tessellating patterns! In this lesson, children are challenged to consider how shapes may be translated to make tessellating patterns. They may then either make patterns using art software, or by cutting out stamps with which they can make repeating patterns.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 5

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