Teaching Symmetry in the Elementary Curriculum

Abstract

Symmetry is a fundamental part of geometry, nature, and shapes. It creates patterns that help us organize our world conceptually. We see symmetry every day but often don't realize it. People use concepts of symmetry, including translations, rotations, reflections, and tessellations as part of their careers. Examples of careers that incorporate these ideas are artists, craftspeople, musicians, choreographers, and not to mention, mathematicians. It is important for students to grasp the concepts of geometry and symmetry while at the elementary level as a means of exposing them to things they see everyday that aren't obviously related to mathematics but have a strong foundation in it. Teaching symmetry in the elementary classroom is very important because it allows children to understand the things they see every day in a different context. It allows children to follow the rules to create their own patterns, and this in turn, allows them to discover what they do and do not like, motivating them to make things better. This area of geometry brings together life and mathematics in a more meaningful way that is not so concrete. Students will often forget while they are studying symmetry and its properties, that they are doing math and it will become a more enriched experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)