Pattern Block Symmetry
Display the transparency Trapezoid Man. Ask the students to fill in the left-hand side using trapezoids. Model the placement of a few pattern blocks on the right-hand side by flipping the pattern blocks from the left side, over the line to the right side. Students should work alone using pattern blocks to cover and “balance” the figures on the Trapezoid Man and Butterfly Activity pages.
Tell students that they should put blocks on the solid-line half first. Discuss “balance” as making one side or half look the same as the other side. Explain to them that these pattern block designs are balanced and have line symmetry, which is when it can be folded or divided by a line segment so that the two halves match. The fold line is called the line of symmetry. Have student’s check their neighbors work to make sure it is balanced.
Ask students to make their own design that has symmetry with pattern blocks-
Balancing Act
Demonstrate this game on the overheard projector with a student. Draw a vertical line to represent the line of symmetry. Player 1 begins by placing one pattern block on the right side of the line. Player 2 places two blocks on the left side of the line, one to balance and another for Player 1 to balance on the next turn. Continue to play until there are 12-14 blocks on the game page.
Display the transparency Trapezoid Man. Ask the students to fill in the left-hand side using trapezoids. Model the placement of a few pattern blocks on the right-hand side by flipping the pattern blocks from the left side, over the line to the right side. Students should work alone using pattern blocks to cover and “balance” the figures on the Trapezoid Man and Butterfly Activity pages.
Tell students that they should put blocks on the solid-line half first. Discuss “balance” as making one side or half look the same as the other side. Explain to them that these pattern block designs are balanced and have line symmetry, which is when it can be folded or divided by a line segment so that the two halves match. The fold line is called the line of symmetry. Have student’s check their neighbors work to make sure it is balanced.
Ask students to make their own design that has symmetry with pattern blocks-
Balancing Act
Demonstrate this game on the overheard projector with a student. Draw a vertical line to represent the line of symmetry. Player 1 begins by placing one pattern block on the right side of the line. Player 2 places two blocks on the left side of the line, one to balance and another for Player 1 to balance on the next turn. Continue to play until there are 12-14 blocks on the game page.