Position and Direction - Reflection - Planning

In the second lesson of the Year 5 summer term on Position and Direction, students delve into the concept of reflection. Using a range of resources such as mirrors, teaching slides, worksheets, and presentations, the class is introduced to key vocabulary including terms like coordinates, vertex, axis, and symmetry. The lesson encourages students to engage with the material through a variety of activities, starting with a practical 'mirror game' to understand reflection in real life. Students then analyze images to determine which have been reflected across a mirror line, discussing the importance of equidistance and orientation for accurate reflection.

The lesson further explores the mathematical aspect of reflection by teaching students how to reflect coordinates in the mirror line. Through guided modelling and partner activities, students learn to plot the reflected positions of shapes on a grid. The session is structured to cater to different levels of understanding, from recognizing simple reflections to working with diagonal mirror lines and reflecting coordinates to construct squares. A plenary session consolidates learning and addresses any misconceptions. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity where students consider what they have learned, the skills they have used, and what they found challenging, ensuring they remember the key concepts of reflecting shapes through a mirror line.