Sketching the etching
This is a level 2 geometry activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers’ notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Complete symmetrical pattern drawings.
Sketching the etching
Achievement objectives
GM2-7: Predict and communicate the results of translations, reflections, and rotations on plane shapes.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Level 2–3, Geometry, "Sketching the etching", page 13
- mirrors
- tracing paper
- play dough or clay
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Sketching the etching activity (.pdf)
Activity
All the designs shown on this page have reflection symmetry. A mirror can be used to fill in the missing scratches, provided that the lines of symmetry are established.
For example, the flower design has three lines of symmetry and rotational symmetry of order six. This means it turns onto itself six times in a full turn.
If students place a mirror on any given line of symmetry and look at half the design, its image will confirm what the complete design should look like. Alternatively, a tracing of the shape can be folded in half along the mirror line and the doubled-over paper held up to a window for tracing. In a similar way, students can create a design with mirror symmetry. For example:
1.
2.
Answers will vary.
The quality of the images on this page may vary depending on the device you are using.