Reflection designs

Students will be able to illustrate the geometric transformation of a reflection through creating their own unique designs.

A lesson plan for grade 4 Mathematics

By Karen Boles

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Related topics

• Learn more about geometry, hands-on, mathematics, reflections, and symmetry.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• create a model/design that illustrates the “reflection” concept of geometrical transformation.
• use the design to further demonstrate rotations and translations.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45-60 minutes

Materials/resources

• Masking tape
• The following materials are needed per student:
• 12×18 sheet of construction paperpencil
• letter patterns for tracing student name or initials
• scissors

Pre-activities

• Using masking tape, construct several 4 quadrant grids using x and y axis. The grids should be made to cover a 3′x 3′ area. The grids can be constructed on a wall or on the floor.
• Grade 4: Students should have prior knowledge of line of symmetry, translations, reflections, and rotations. Students should have a working knowledge for using a 4-quadrant grid.

Activities

1. Fold a 12×18 sheet of construction paper into 2 congruent parts.
2. Place letters of name or initials “slightly” overlapping one another onto the construction paper, keeping at least one letter adjacent to the fold (line of symmetry). More than one letter can be place along the fold line.
3. Once letters are in place, begin tracing name pattern with a pencil. Don’t forget to trace inside of closed letters like O, P, B, A, etc.
4. Using scissors, cut outside edge of name pattern. DO NOT cut the letter edges adjacent to the fold line. For neatness purposes, teacher may elect to cut out the inside of closed letters with a straight edge razor. Students should not be allowed to use razors.
5. Letters adjacent to the fold line should illustrate the line of symmetry when the name pattern is unfolded. The reflective pattern is actually attached at points along the fold line.
6. Have students unfold name pattern to illustrate their name’s reflection.
7. Divide students into groups according to the number of grids in the room.
8. Have students in the groups use name patterns to explore the geometric transformations of reflections, rotations, and translations. Students may wish to cut their reflective name pattern (at the fold line) apart to demonstrate this part of the lesson.

Assessment

Monitor group progress and have students demonstrate how their name pattern transforms during a reflection, rotation, or translation. Students are assessed during a one-on-one conference where the student will correctly demonstrate how his/her name pattern is an example of a reflection. The student will also be asked to trace his/her name pattern onto a poster board creating a visual picture of a translation and rotation. Upon this assessment, it will be evident if further teacher instruction is needed with these concepts.

Supplemental information

Comments

This activity can be done to create “Symmetrical Aliens.” Modify by having the student to write his/her name in cursive handwriting instead of tracing pre-cut letters. The fold line should represent the line for writing. Names should be written large enough for the tallest letters to be a height of 4-6 inches. Cut out design by following the height of the letters in the name; avoiding the fold line. When the design is unfolded, it resembles a alien. Student will not need to cut the fold line unless they wish to have 1/2 of an alien.

Wallpaper samples can be substituted for construction paper. Fold wallpaper design to the inside, so students are tracing or writing on the backside of the wallpaper sample.

Display designs on a bulletin board for sharing examples of geometric transformations after students have completed the lesson.