Top Drawer Teachers

Folding shapes online

The digital learning object L7803 Finding symmetry: one line: city  introduces the idea of line of symmetry. Testing whether a shape 'folds' entails a very basic understanding of proof: the fold line is true because it matches.

Screen grab showing an isosocles triangle with a single line of symmetry.

The online activity gives young students a chance to test whether presented shapes have a line of symmetry or not. It provides a tool for students to answer and discuss the question of "How do you know?" The reasoning involves ideas such as

  • same or different

  • true or not true

  • visualisation

  • If… then…

These are all introduced in Big Ideas.