Turning shapes around

Turning shapes around

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about rotational symmetry.
Practical task
 
  • Cut out each shape from the Shapes page.
  • Take each shape and place it on top of its outline so that the two crosses are next to each other.
  • Turn each shape one complete turn.
  • Write on the table below the number of times each shape fits on to itself as it goes through one complete turn.

 

shapes to explore rotational symmetry with

 
  Shape The number of times the shape fits on to itself in one complete turn.
a) Diamond  
b) Square  
c) Triangle  
d) Hexagon  
e) Pentagon  

 

 

template of shapes to cut out

Task administration: 
Equipment: One "Shape" page per student (A template has been provided); scissors.]

  • This assessment activity can be carried out orally with one student at a time or with a small group of students using the worksheet.
  • Students will need to cut out each shape on the "Shapes" page before beginning the assessment activity.

Working with a group of students

  1. Say to the students, "Place your diamond shape on top of the diamond outline so that the two crosses are next to each other."
  2. Model for the students how to turn their diamond shape one complete turn around a point of rotation at the centre of the shape so that the two crosses end up next to each other again. 
  3. Let the students try this with their diamond shapes.
  4. Say to the students, "On your worksheet, write down how many times the diamond shape fits exactly into the diamond outline as it goes through one complete turn."
  5. Say to the students, " Now you are going to do some more of these on your own. Read the instructions from your worksheet, do each turn with your shape and write the answers on the table."

Working with one student at a time

  • When working with one student at a time the whole process outlined above can be carried out orally without the use of the worksheet.
Copyright: 
Copyright: NZCER
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Geometry and Measurement, Transformation
Keywords: 
rotation, order of symmetry, transformations, rotational symmetry
Description of task: 
Students cut out shapes and rotate them to find the number of times each shape fits onto itself in a complete turn.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Geometric thinking, sets 3-4
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
   

3 marks (for all 5 correct)
or
2 marks (if all the answers are too small by 1 or there is one other error)
or
1 mark (for 2-3 errors)

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

2
4
3
6
1