Line Symmetry - Globetrotter’s Garden

**Key Elements and Scene Summary**

This continental garden scene introduces young learners to symmetry, taking inspiration from around the world. Observing the different features of the scene, they will see how we can seek out vertical symmetry in everything from iconic monuments to the planes we use to traverse the miles. Interactive games involve matching shape halves together, sorting pools to distinguish symmetric and asymmetric objects, and a pillar maze.

# Learning Objectives

Identify lines of symmetry in a vertical axis{.info}

Identify symmetrical aspects of everyday objects{.info}

Reason about symmetry in diverse objects, including symbols and polygons{.info}

# Our Symmetrical World{.objective .objective1}

- Learners can identify symmetry as exhibited in nature and in international landmarks built by humans. The aim is for the mathematical learning to develop organically from a discussion about why symmetrical structures appeal to our aesthetic sense.
- The familiar dashed line is used to represent the axis of symmetry. Learners should appreciate from the butterfly animation that creating symmetry preserves the exact lines, curves and distance on both sides of the mirror line.

# Which Pool: Circle or Blob?{.objective .objective2}

- Throughout the scene, learners find movable objects to be sorted into pools depending on whether they have a line of symmetry. Objects belonging to the circle pool include: a snowflake, dragonfly, and paper boat. Those belonging in the asymmetry pool are: a glove, flower, and umbrella.

# Match-It-Up Maze{.objective .objective3}

- The route through the pillar maze is found by learners examining the shapes above: those which are matching halves define the correct pathway to take. A dead end is encountered when trying to pursue an incorrect pathway of two dissimilar shapes, allowing pupils to reexamine their understanding in a ‘low consequence’ manner.
- This activity targets visualisation since the shapes are separated by a small distance, requiring users to mentally merge them to verify symmetry.

# Teacher Resources

### Download Teacher Notes

[](https://avnfs.com/pJBuCgQ5ASpT0vC5jEkDGMVkpxQyKipSkP9d7VkNuC4?size=1767271&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Line+Symmetry+-+Globetrotters+Garden+Teachers+Notes+1.pdf)

### Student Worksheet Answers Document

[](https://avnfs.com/k0RhpZGZuWkW1e5C2C5gG7P6wyF956U5PJTxwNH11tM?size=1306795&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Line+Symmetry+-+Globetrotters+Garden+Teachers+Notes+2.pdf)

### Download Student Worksheet Document

[](https://avnfs.com/Fbapfo3kRZldTzFfcSXAZMY2ygi4LwMizfKciOv4894?size=440271&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Line+Symmetry+-+Globetrotters+Garden+Teachers+Notes+3.pdf)