Activity
Create matching symmetrical shapes activity: Popsicle stick math
Encourage your student to create tactile drawings using popsicle sticks - while learning math concepts!
It is important that all students have the opportunity to draw and create. Drawing engages the students and builds creativity. Creating math images, such as symmetrical shapes, also shows if the student understands and/or has mastered the concept. And, hands-on activities are simply fun!
Symmetry activity with foam shapes
Kindergarten students love making patterns with objects! Try this simple activity using a sheet of paper, folded down in half down the middle. Using sticky-back foam sheets, cut out two of each shape – make sure the pairs are exactly the same. Place one of each foam shapes in a column on the left side of the folded paper. Explain symmetry: Symmetry is when an object looks the exact same on one side as the other. To see if an object is symmetrical, draw a line of symmetry or a line dividing an object to show a perfect match on each side.
Take a piece of paper (construction paper works even better!) in landscape mode and fold it in half from top to bottom. Open it up. On the top, place 5 sticky-backed foam shapes. Make sure that the bottom of each shape is touching the fold line. The example below uses an arrow (pointing up), circle, heart, oval and star. Below the arrow is the matching mirror arrow (pointing down). Each arrow “bottom” is touching the line and the bottom of the other arrow.
Ask the student to adhere the symmetrical shape below the matching shape – make sure that the “bottom” of each shape is touching the line and the “bottom” of the matching shape.
Symmetry activity with popsicle sticks
This activity uses brightly colored popsicle sticks, masking tape and a long table, dividing the table into “top” and “bottom” sections. For BLV students who may accidentally move the popsicle sticks while exploring the sticks, the activity can be done on a poster board with popsicle sticks adhered to the board or on a large magnetic board with small magnets attached to the back of the popsicle sticks. (Double-sided crafting tape works well with the poster board, allowing the popsicles to be moved if desired.)
Use colorful (high contrast) masking tape to make the line of symmetry down the length of the table. Position 2 – 5 popsicle sticks above the masking tape line to create the desired shapes. Ask the student to position additional popsicle sticks below the line to create the mirror image of each shape. Be sure that the at least one popsicle stick is touching the line!
The picture shows:
- Shape 1: 3 red popsicle sticks in the shape of a square with the bottom of the square represented by the masking tape (line of symmetry).
- Shape 2: 2 orange popsicle sticks in the shape of a triangle with the bottom of the triangle represented by the masking tape (line of symmetry).
- Shape 3: 3 blue popsicle sticks in the shape of an arrow, pointing up.
- Shape 4: 3 green popsicle sticks in the shape of an upside down print Y.
- Shape 5: 5 Blue popsicle sticks in the shape of a house and roof with the bottom of the house represented by the masking tape.
Teacher Hint: Ask the student to identify each shape or name what object the popsicles made. If necessary, move the student (or turn the orientation of the board) to help the student identify the object.
The popsicle sticks are a wonderful way for students to build various shapes and stick figures. Provide a circle (for the head) and ask the student to create a stick-figure person. Cut a few popsicle sticks in half. Can the student create a 2-dimensional chair out of popsicle sticks? What else can the student create with popsicle sticks? What print letters can your student create? Ask the student to create a print letter “T”; a “T” intersection is an important O&M concept, so understanding the shape of a print “T” is an important concept for everyone. What else can you create using popsicle sticks?
How does this apply to math?
Mirror images in math are called symmetry and are applied to various math concepts across the grades, including the ability to identify: same/different simple shapes for very young students, if a shape has symmetry in 3rd – 5th grade, identify shapes and concepts in geometry classes and whether graphs are symmetrical in algebra.
Resources
Want to learn more about drawing?
- Tactile Graphic Rich Environments Series: The Missing Link (first post in this series)
By Diane Brauner
