Mathematics / Year 4 / Measurement and Geometry / Location and transformation

Curriculum content descriptions

Create symmetrical patterns, pictures and shapes with and without digital technologies (ACMMG091)

Elaborations
  • using stimulus materials such as the motifs in Central Asian textiles, Tibetan artefacts, Indian lotus designs and symmetry in Yolngu or Central and Western Desert art
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Symmetry

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 42: Maths in nature

Maths can be found in living things and natural structures. Explore mathematical patterns in nature, such as the tessellating hexagonal units of a honeycomb, the bilateral symmetry of a leaf, the radial symmetry of a snowflake and spiderweb, and the number of right or left spirals on a pinecone or pineapple (Fibonacci numbers).

Online

reSolve: Authentic Problems: Expanded Square

This sequence of four lessons explores concepts around informal area and symmetry. Students design an 'expanded square' where approximately half the area of the original square is flipped to the outside. The lessons provide opportunities for students to devise and use methods to informally measure area, record their mathematical ...

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Making maths: Rangoli designs

This resource is a web page containing an activity about symmetrical patterns that are used to decorate traditional Indian clothing and architecture. The patterns contain line and/or rotational symmetry. Students can examine the patterns and identify the type of symmetry present in each one. This resource is one of a series ...

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Making maths: Indian window screen

This resource is a web page containing an activity about constructing symmetrical decorative patterns. The resource provides initial step-by-step instructions for using standard grid paper to recreate an intricate pattern found in a traditional Indian window screen. This resource is one of a series of activities from the ...

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Understanding relationships between the properties of 2D shapes helps visualise and organise spaces in the world: Multi-age 3–6 Year A – Unit 12

This 2-week unit introduces the big idea that understanding relationships between the properties of 2D shapes helps visualise and organise spaces in the world.

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Transformations Year 3 & 4 - Calculate

This lesson helps students explore different shape transformations and describe symmetry in objects and images.

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Symmetry Year 4 - Calculate

This activity is about symmetry and transformations. The aim is for students not simply find solutions but to think about a way to record their discoveries in a systematic way. How can students share their thinking and compare their answers to someone else?

Downloadable

Line of symmetry

Students identify and draw the lines of symmetry by folding 2D shapes.

Online

Transformation: Symmetry: Year 4 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 4 is for the topic of Transformation: Symmetry. Students investigate reflection symmetry and develop their understanding of how the line of symmetry defines the two aspects of a ‘mirror’ image of the figure into two congruent halves. They explore rotational symmetry using familiar 2D shapes, ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Space and Geometry for Primary

Selected links to online resources that can support the teaching and learning of geometry for primary-aged students.

Video

Fun with fractals

Do you know how to recognise a fractal? Watch this video to find out! What are the examples given of fractals found in nature? Can you think of any others? Why not have a go at doing your own drawing of the Sierpinski Triangle?

Video

What is a fractal?

Do you know what a fractal is? Basically, fractals are never-ending patterns created by repeated mathematical equations. In this clip, Yuliya, a student at MIT (in the USA) describes the properties of fractals and shows you where they can be found in technology and nature. Have a good look at the world around you and see ...

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Draw an egg

This teaching resource outlines an activity for students to draw an egg shape by hand, using a method that combines three ellipses. The resource outlines the materials required, provides instructions for drawing the curve, describes how the shape is composed of ellipses, and introduces some places where the egg shape is ...