9780958563253

Same Shape Different Blocks Students may be set various challenges.

Make this hexagon using different blocks.

Some examples are:

Pattern Blocks

12

Š P. Swan

Geometry: Symmetry - Line and Rotational

Show the students examples of logos using an image search of the internet.

Ask the students to make some shapes with rotational symmetry.

Line Symmetry

Order 6 Rotational Symmetry

Set the task for students to use Pattern Blocks to design shapes with both line and rotational symmetry. For example, this design has 4 lines of symmetry and Order 4 rotational symmetry:

Not all symmetrical shapes have rotational symmetry and not all shapes with rotational symmetry have reflectional symmetry. Also there are many shapes that have neither.

Pattern Blocks

20

Š P. Swan

Geometry: Reflectional Transformation (Flip) Flips are a form of line symmetry. Here is an example of a reflectional transformation:

Remember each point on the object (red trapezium) is the same distance from the mirror line as its corresponding point on the image. Students can work in pairs to build designs and then reflect them about a line of symmetry (mirror line).

Later, two lines of symmetry may be given and the students asked to make symmetrical patterns.

Š P. Swan

21

Pattern Blocks