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Second Grade Symmetry Games

Second graders can explore the geometric concept of symmetry by playing symmetry games. If a line is drawn halfway through a shape and both halves are mirror images of each other, the shape has line symmetry, also called reflection symmetry. Your students have to look carefully, because the line of symmetry sometimes appears in an unexpected place. Some shapes have more than one line of symmetry, such as a square with four and a circle with an unlimited number of lines of symmetry. As your students play line symmetry games, they are preparing to learn the other types of symmetry they will encounter in later grades.
  1. Symmetrical or Not?

    • Make cards of various shapes large enough for all the students to see. One at a time, hold up a card and ask if the shape has symmetry or not. If a child thinks it does, she should stand up, otherwise she should stay seated. Students who answered incorrectly stay out of the game.

    How Many Lines of Symmetry?

    • Make cards of various shapes large enough for all the students to see. Divide the class into two teams. Give the first child in each team a buzzer to press when they think they have the correct answer. It is easier to tell who buzzed first if you use buzzers with different sounds. Hold up a shape card and ask the first child on each team if it has a line of symmetry. If a child has an answer, he should push his buzzer. The first child to push the buzzer answers first. If he is correct, he should then tell you how many lines of symmetry the shape has. If he is not correct, the other team has the opportunity to answer how many lines of symmetry the shape has. Award points for correct answers.

    Alphabet Symmetry

    • This game requires students to visualize the letters of the alphabet. Divide the class into two teams. Say a lower case or upper case letter of the alphabet to the first child on Team 1. She will tell you if it has any lines of symmetry, and if so, how many. If she gets the answer wrong, the first child on Team 2 gets an opportunity to answer. Award points for correct answers. If visualizing the letters is a bit too challenging for the students, make cards with either upper or lower case letters of the alphabet.

    Finish the Shape

    • Draw only half of various shapes and line drawings of objects, such as a heart or Christmas tree, on a piece of grid paper. Enlarge the paper so it is big enough to be seen by the class. Laminate each page. Divide the class into four teams. Have the first player in each team come up to the blackboard and turn with her back to the blackboard. Tape four different designs to the blackboard. Give each team a dry erase marker. When you tell them start, the students should turn toward the blackboard and complete the designs as neatly and quickly as possible. The winning team gets a point for finishing first. All teams get a point for correctly finishing the shape.

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