Partner Symmetry

Double students' creativity by having partners form symmetrical designs.

1. Divide the class into pairs. Hand out the manipulatives with which they can form designs. Choose from the materials listed, or use whatever is at hand.
2. Give each person a piece of yarn or string to use as a line of symmetry, which can be placed horizontally or vertically on the work area of the grid or dot paper. Each person makes a design on only one side of the line. Encourage students to create complex and inventive designs. Designs should also be 3-dimensional.
3. At a signal, partners switch seats. Each person now tries to complete the other person's design by creating the symmetrical missing half on the other side of the line of symmetry.
4. Partners then return to their original designs to see whether their partner's design forms an exact symmetrical duplicate.
5. Discuss the process with the class. Invite students to describe any difficulties they encountered.

Taking It Farther

Try the same activity, but have pairs use grid or dot paper and colored markers or crayons. Or students may prepare half of a drawing on plain paper around a line of symmetry, to be completed by a partner.

Assessing Skills

• Are the designs symmetrical?
• Are students more adept at beginning or at completing a design?

Students apply concepts of symmetry to complete a 3-dimensional figure around a given line of symmetry.

Grouping

Pairs

Materials

• pattern blocks, color tiles, snap cubes, or Cuisenaire rods
• yarn or string
• grid paper or dot paper
• colored markers or crayons
• drawing paper