- Definition
A reflection is like looking in a mirror: a shape is flipped perfectly over a line, creating an identical image on the other side. For example, if you draw a heart and then draw its reflection, it will look like the heart has been mirrored.
If you draw a triangle on the left side of a line and then flip it over the line, the new triangle on the right is its reflection.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A reflection is like looking in a mirror — the image you see is flipped but it's still the same size and shape as you.
Ask your child: If you write your name on paper and hold it to a mirror, what happens?
Common mix-up: Kids might confuse a reflection with just sliding a shape over. A reflection is a flip that creates a mirror image, so the parts that were on the left are now on the right.
Examples
- The reflection of your left hand in a mirror looks like a right hand.
- Reflecting the letter 'L' across a vertical line makes it look like a backwards 'L'.
reflection is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 5 The Arts
- Grade 7 The Arts
- Grade 8 The Arts
- Grade 4 Mathematics
- Grade 5 Mathematics
- Grade 6 Mathematics
- Grade 7 Mathematics
+1 more mention across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
