Launch a Symmetry Hunt!
Categories: Third Grade, Math
Symmetry is all around us, but some kids are so used to seeing symmetry that they don't realize what is means and how it works. Want your child to walk on the symmetrical side of life? In this activity, your child will explore the ways that symmetry work in real life, and learn a lot about the nature of reflection!
What You Need:
- Small mirror
- Scissors
- Construction paper, assorted colors
Explain to your child that things that are “symmetrical” are the same on both sides. Oftentimes, you can use a mirror to see if something is symmetrical or not. By holding the edge of the mirror to the middle of the object, then comparing the reflection to the way it looked without a mirror.
Facial Symmetry
- Ask you child to look carefully at your face. Does he think that it is symmetrical? In most cases, people's facial features are not exactly symmetrical: one eye may be slightly higher than the other, one side of the lips may be thinner than the other.
- To test whether your child's hypothesis is correct, hold the edge of the mirror up to your nose, with the reflective side facing to the right. Have your child stand to your right and look at your face, which will appear exactly symmetrical because one side is actually a reflection of the other. Does he think that you look different? Have your child carefully observe and communicate what he thinks looks strange. In most cases, faces will look slightly different when they are represented as completely symmetrical.
- Switch the the left side and repeat the experiment. Does the left side of your face look very different from the right side? Have your child compare and reach conclusions about which side of your face has the bigger eye, the higher ear, the plumper lip, etc.
If you child doesn't notice any great difference between the left-sided and right-sided version of your face, then congratulations! You have a very symmetrical face.
Folding Symmetry
Another great way to explore symmetry with your child is to experiment with paper folding. By now, you child have probably made a paper heart by folding a piece of paper in half and cutting a half-heart curve, then unfolding the paper to see the result. But symmetrical scissoring can get a lot more complex.
- Have your child fold a piece of construction paper twice over, into quarters. Now, make a few cutouts along the edges of the folded rectangle. Encourage your child to try different shapes, like long thin triangle, short fat squares, and curvy cutouts. After he has made a few cuts, unfold the paper to see what he has created.
- Discuss the result. Would he like to go back and add more cutouts? Help him to evaluate and plan what kind of pattern he wants and how to achieve it.
- Fold the paper back up and continue cutting according to your master plan. Continue unfolding, folding and cutting until your child's symmetrical vision is complete!
Symmetry Hunt
Go on a symmetry hunt by finding other things around the house that are symmetrical. Give your child a notebook, and take one for yourself. Split up and find as many symmetrical things in the house as possible. Look at furniture, kitchenware, electronics, and more. Is it symmetrical? Why or why not? After 10 minutes are up, reconvene and compare your lists. You may need to prove why you think something is symmetrical! The symmetry hunter with the most finds wins the symmetry prize (the symmetrical paper cutout can double as the reward).
Alicia Danyali, BS Elementary Education, taught primary level students for four years at the International School of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The last four years of her teaching career, she taught at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C. She recently completed writing a series of children's picture books, and is a mother of one young son.
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