Max Maths, Year 5, Work Book, Reflective and rotational symmetry in regular polygons

In the 'Max Maths Year 5 Workbook', young learners are introduced to the concepts of reflective and rotational symmetry, specifically in the context of regular polygons. Practice 7 in the workbook is dedicated to these symmetry types. The first activity requires students to identify shapes that possess four lines of symmetry as well as rotational symmetry. They are presented with a series of shapes labelled from (a) to (h), and they must examine each one to determine if it meets the criteria. A tick is then placed next to those shapes that do. This exercise helps students recognise patterns and understand how shapes can be symmetrical in multiple ways.

The subsequent activity delves deeper into the understanding of symmetry in regular polygons. Students are tasked with drawing the lines of symmetry onto each polygon provided, which range from simple shapes like triangles and squares to more complex ones such as pentagons and hexagons. After drawing the lines of symmetry, they must also state the degree of rotational symmetry for each shape. This involves identifying and noting how many times a shape can be rotated around its centre point to fit exactly onto its original outline within a full 360-degree turn. This hands-on task not only reinforces the principles of symmetry but also integrates elements of geometry and spatial reasoning.