For this symmetry activity, for each student, you need a canister of soft modeling clay, a plastic knife, a ruler or straightedge and prepared sheets of paper with outlines of various geometric shapes that have one or more lines of symmetry. Give each student the supplies. Tell the students to make a duplicate from the modeling clay of each geometric shape shown on the paper(s). Ask them to draw the line(s) of symmetry for each shape on the paper using the ruler or straightedge. When they have finished the shapes on the paper, tell them to use the knife to mark the lines of symmetry on their modeling clay shapes.
To complete this activity, each students needs a variety of Cuisinaire rods, two sheets of graph paper sized for Cuisinaire rods and crayons. Instruct the students to fold the graph paper in half either lengthwise or crosswise. Tell them to make a shape with the Cuisinaire rods on one half of the graph paper, fitting the rods within the grid lines. When they have made their shape, they should duplicate the shape, in a mirror image, on the blank half of the graph paper and color the shape to match the color of the Cuisinaire rods used.
Ask each student to bring several magazine pictures that show symmetry, such as an animal looking directly at the camera or a building. Each student will also need a square or rectangular mirror. Tell the students to fold their pictures in half along a line of symmetry and to exchange their pictures with someone else in the class. Instruct the students to place the reflective surface of their mirrors parallel to and against the folded line of symmetry. They will see a complete image.
For this project, each student needs a ruler or straightedge. Ask the students to find letters of the alphabet with lines of symmetry. Remind them that objects can have more than one line of symmetry. When they identify a letter, tell them to draw in the line(s) of symmetry with the straightedge or ruler.