Finding Symmetry in Shapes and Patterns

This is a set of 9 worksheets and materials. I used some or all of these with Year 2 and LKS2 classes, to help pupils gain an understanding of symmetry in shapes and extending to coloured patterns in different arrangements. Depending on the pupil’s understanding, I encouraged them to work individually, with a partner or in a guided group to complete these. I also provided mirrors for these activities but tried to encourage pupils to use these as a form of checking answers as these could sometimes cause confusion rather than aid answering.

The 9 sets of sheets are;

1. Lines of Symmetry shapes – these two sheets encourage pupils to identify all the lines of symmetry in given shapes.
2. Lines of Symmetry shapes ANSWERS – these two sheets are the answers to the above to aid with marking.
3. Symmetry letters low – this sheet allows pupils to organise given letters and symbols depending on whether or not they have lines of symmetry.
4. Symmetry letters top – this sheet is as above but for more able pupils requiring them to identify if the letters and symbols have one, more than one or no line of symmetry.
5. Symmetry letters cards – this is a master set of the cards required for sheets 3 and 4 above.
6. Symmetrical Patterns bl & wh – this sheet has an arrangement of 8 patterns represented on grids which are to be completed with regard to the vertical mirror line shown.
7. Symmetrical Patterns colour – this sheet is set out as the black and white version above but pupils are required to consider the placement of different colours. This could be used either as an extension activity or as a form of differentiation given only to more able pupils.
8. Symmetrical Patterns blank – this sheet is set out as the black and white and coloured versions above but are blank grids. This allows pupils to create their own patterns for symmetrical completion either by themselves or for swapping with a partner.
9. Symmetrical colour patterns – these three sheets follow a similar principle to that used in sheets 6, 7 and 8 however it extends to thinking about horizontal mirror lines and culminating in a grid that can be used to create symmetrical patterns across 4 quadrants.