What is symmetry? We say that something is symmetrical when one half of it is an exact mirror image of the other half.
What is line symmetry? We say that something has ‘line symmetry’ if it can be divided by a line into two halves that are mirror images.
1. Have a look at this symmetrical butterfly. Where would you draw the line of symmetry so that everything on one side of the line is an exact mirror image of everything on the other side of the line? Tick the correct box.
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If it is a correct line of symmetry, the picture should fold over this line and the two halves should cover each other exactly. Did you tick the correct box?
Drawing Lines of Symmetry on 2-D Shapes
2. Cut out each of the following shapes from your 2-D shape templates. Fold each shape along its line, or lines, of symmetry. Then use a pencil and ruler to clearly draw the lines of symmetry along the folds. Finally, glue the shapes into your copy, with their lines of symmetry showing.
Strand: Shape and Space
Curriculum Objectives: Identify line symmetry in the environment; identify and draw lines of symmetry in two-dimensional shapes.