Olympic Mathematics - Symmetry for Year 3-4

Story:

You have been appointed the Master of Ceremonies for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. Congratulations - big responsibility! Usually, countries parade in alphabetical order. But this year you have a better idea...the countries with the prettiest flags will come out first. How do you judge beauty? One tried and tested formula is...(drumroll): SYMMETRY!

Tools

• Free flags of the world printable: https://penicuik.mgfl.net/wp-content/uploads/Social-Subjects-Flag-hands-Flags-of-the-World.pdf.

• Green and red pencils.

• Ruler.

• White A3 paper for extension.

Main event

With the flags of the world pages, use a green pencil and ruler to mark lines of symmetry (where it would be reflected in a mirror or folded over and look the same on both unfolded sides).

Also use a red pencil to find one non-example - a line of asymmetry (not symmetrical/mirrored/folded to be the same).

Challenge

Which flag has the most lines of symmetry (gets the gold medal for symmetry)?

Extension

Design a flag to trick the audience. A flag that looks like it has tonnes of symmetry, but in fact has none. Use an A3 page and be ready to present it to the audience (class) at the end of the ceremony (lesson).