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Symmetry- Kowhaiwhai

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Planning notes

Level/Framework stage/Group: 3

Duration/Date: 1 Week

Focus Achievement Objectives
GM1-5: Communicate and record the results of translations, reflections, and rotations on plane shapes.
GM6-9: Analyse symmetrical patterns by the transformations used to create them.
GM3-6: Describe the transformations (reflection, rotation, translation, or enlargement) that have mapped one object onto another.
GM2-7: Predict and communicate the results of translations, reflections, and rotations on plane shapes.
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In the garden

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
This unit uses the context of a garden to explore the line and rotational symmetry of shapes.
  • Make geometric patterns by reflecting, rotating, and translating shapes.
  • Describe the reflective and rotational symmetry of shapes.
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Changing Shapes

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 3 geometry strand activity from the Figure it Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

explore symmetry and tessellations

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Tricky Triangles

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a Level 2 Geometry activity from the Figure It Out Series.A PDF of the student activity is included.

recognise triangles in patterns

make a tessellating pattern using two dimensional shapes

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Wrap it Up

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a Level 2 Geometry activity from the Figure It Out Series.A PDF of the student activity is included.

make a pattern by translating or rotating a shape

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Reflect on This

Level Two
Integrated
Figure It Out activities
These are level 2 number and geometry problems from the Figure It Out series.A PDF of the student activity is included.

explore reflection patterns (Problems 1 and 2)

use additive strategies to solve problems (Problems 3 and 4)

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Logo Licenses

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
This unit examines the use of reflective, rotational, and translational symmetry in the design of logos. Logos are designs associated with a particular trade name or company and usually involve symmetry to make them aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.
  • Find all the lines of reflection symmetry in a given shape.
  • Identify the order of rotational symmetry of a given shape (how many times it "maps" onto itself in a full turn).
  • Create designs which have reflection symmetry, rotational symmetry (orders 2, 3, 4, 6) and translational symmetry.
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Kōwhaiwhai

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

describe patterns using the language of transformation

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Grace's kitchen floor

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Create a pattern that involves reflection and rotation.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment).
The files will download as a zip archive. Double-click on the archive file to extract the attachments on your computer.