- Definition
Symmetry means that if you cut something in half, both sides would look exactly the same, like a butterfly's wings.
A heart shape has symmetry because if you fold it down the middle, both sides are identical.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Symmetry is like a butterfly's wings, where the pattern on one side is a perfect mirror image of the other.
Ask your child: Where could you fold this shape so both sides match?
Common mix-up: Kids may think any balanced design is symmetrical. The key idea is that if you fold it on a line, the two halves will match up perfectly.
Examples
- Folding a piece of paper, cutting out half a tree along the fold, and unfolding it creates a symmetrical tree.
- The wings of a butterfly often have symmetrical patterns.
symmetry is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 4 The Arts
- Grade 6 The Arts
- Grade 2 Mathematics
- Grade 4 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 ↗
