Teach Symmetry with Technology
Resource Overview Quantile® Measure:
680Q Identify and make figures with line symmetry. (QT‐G‐85)
Skill or Concept:
Use models to illustrate or recognize reflections, rotations, and translations of plane figures. (QT‐G‐178) Predict results of tessellating, subdividing, and changing shapes by paper folding or dissecting and rearranging pieces of plane figures and solids. (QT‐G‐179)
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Unit 2 – Lesson 2
Geometry
Student Expectation: Students will create two-dimensional figures with lines of symmetry using concrete models and technology
Enrichment Symmetry “Teaching Symmetry with Technology”
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Teacher note: The layout for this lesson deviates slightly from our standard development. Ideas are given for using technology in your classroom to enhance your unit on symmetry. Group size: whole class, then small groups or individual (depending on the number of computers available) Materials: computer(s); variety of computer software programs and activities, pages 2021 (see list below) Before class: Arrange for the class/student(s) to use school computers or create a sign-up sheet for students to use the classroom computer(s). Symmetry of the human face Objective: Each student will determine if his/her face is symmetrical. Technology needed: digital camera and Paint Shop Pro or other similar drawing program Directions: • Use a digital camera to photograph each student. Students should look directly at the camera, and pictures should be a head-shot only. • Refer to the owners’ manual for instructions on how to import pictures to the computer. • Once imported, make a copy of the photograph. Picture 1 will be used as the baseline for comparison. Picture 2 will be cropped, flipped, and aligned to create a “new face.” • If using Paint Shop Pro, use the selection tool to vertically crop one half of Picture 2. • Duplicate and paste the image; then flip it horizontally. • Align the “flipped” half with original half to create a whole face. • Students then compare the “new face” of Picture 2 with their real face in Picture 1 to determine if their faces are truly symmetrical. Symmetry with tessellations & tilings • Introduce students to tessellations or tilings. Explain that tessellations are patterns of shapes that fit together without any gaps. • Students can create tessellations using many different computer applications and software including (but not limited to): • TesselMania! • HyperCard • PC Paintbrush or paint • Geometer’s Sketchpad • HyperStudio • ClarisWorks • LogoWriter • The following websites also allow students to create tessellations: • www.tessellations.org • www.mathforum.org/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html Optional: If computer programs are unavailable, students can create tessellations using colored pencils, crayons, or markers and graph paper.
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Gourmet Curriculum Press, Inc.©
Unit 2 – Lesson 2
Geometry
Student Expectation: Students will create two-dimensional figures with lines of symmetry using concrete models and technology
Enrichment Symmetry “Teaching Symmetry with Technology” Symmetrical letters • Use Microsoft Word or Works with all of the different fonts to find out what letters are symmetrical within each font. Example: Most students view “A” as symmetrical . . . and it is, SOMETIMES!
A A A A A A A A A A Create Symmetrical Designs • Use Microsoft Paint or similar software to create symmetrical designs. • Open the program. Have students use the POLYGON TOOL to create a figure. • Next, students will use the SELECTION TOOL to outline the shape, and then they will COPY and PASTE it to make a duplicate. • To make a symmetrical design of the shape, click on TRANSFORM and then FLIP HORIZONTALLY. The design will flip over automatically, and the student can “drag” it into the correct position next to the original figure to create a symmetrical design. • Students can work with another student and create a symmetrical design by having one student create the first figure and the second student make its mirror image.
Gourmet Curriculum Press, Inc.©
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