Teaching Symmetry to Elementary Students
An early step into geometry, introducing symmetry to elementary-age kids can be a bit of a challenge at first. Many students welcome a bit of a break from numbers and embrace the concept. Others are a little bit more unsure. Here are some ideas to help you get the concept across to students from different grade levels.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students likely have little experience with the concept of symmetry. This is a great age to include some hands-on activities! Focus on using everyday items that kids are familiar with and work the word symmetry into the conversation. At this age, kids are still starting to understand equal pieces, so it is important to emphasize how the two sides of the line of symmetry are the same size. For example, when cutting a sandwich in half, you can say “I am going to cut this right down the middle so both sides have symmetry. Both sides will be the same size.” Another fun activity for kids this age is to have them fold a paper in half, paint on one side, fold and press. They will see their picture’s mirror image appear!
First Grade
First graders are at a great age to make connections. Hands-on experience is still crucial at this age, but children are starting to transfer their understanding in one situation to another situation. One helpful experience at this age would be to get a small mirror and teach your students what “mirror image” means. They can try drawing half of a picture or half of a letter and move the mirror around until it shows the complete image. This is also a great age for cutting out shapes and folding them to see if both sides along the fold line up. If they do, they will know that the shape is symmetrical across the fold line.
Second Grade
Second graders are often ready to visualize the folding of a shape in their minds. They may be able to see a line drawn across a shape and visualize it folding along the line to see if it lines up. Students can look at common shapes, letters, numbers, and symbols to determine if they have a line of symmetry.
Third Grade
Third grade is a great time to expand the concept of symmetry to every day life. Students can find symmetric objects in their environment and recognize symmetry in nature. They may also start to understand the concept of radial (or rotational) symmetry, when an object is is symmetrical around a circle rather than across a line of symmetry. This is a great time to take your children outside and start recognizing natural symmetry in the world.
Fourth Grade and Above
Once students reach fourth grade, they are ready to understand both reflectional (mirror image) and radial (rotational) symmetry. They can expand their understanding to see symmetry in math, science, art, nature, and architecture. Kids at this age can see symmetry in more complicated images. This is a great age to encourage students to incorporate symmetry and balance into their original works of art. You may be surprised how often your students will find examples of symmetry all around them!
Need more help?
Here are some resources for you:
Exploring geometry mirror center at Lakeshore Learning (first through fifth grade)
Ted-Ed video about symmetry (appropriate for third grade and up)
Khan Academy lesson (fourth grade)
Our very own BIG Symmetry worksheet bundle
Enjoy exploring this new math concept with your kids!