Rotation and translation

Term 2 starting in week 9 :: Estimated time: 2 weeks

Identify the order of rotational symmetry of a shape
Compare and contrast rotational symmetry with line symmetry
Rotate a shape about a point on a shape
Rotate a shape about a point not on a shape
Translate points and shapes by a given vector
Compare rotation and reflection of shapes

For higher-attaining pupils:

Find the result of a series of transformations

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Activities for pupils

Here are some related resources in alphabetical order. Some may only be appropriate for high-attaining learners while others will be useful for those in need of support. Click anywhere in the grey area to access the resource.

Rotation Visual Aid A Geogebra manipulative that shows the effect of rotating an object with a moveable centre of rotation.

Transformations Video A demonstration of the four basic transformations: reflection, translation, rotation and enlargement.

Mixed Transformations A worksheet containing mixed transformations questions and a grid for drawing the solutions on.

Snowflake Generator See how the hexagon can be transformed into a snowflake with some basic translations.

Which Transformation? Identify which simple transformations these diagrams represent.

Alpha Twist Develop your skills and understanding of rotation in this fast-paced challenge.

Tridots Find all the triangles that can be drawn by joining dots on a 3 by 3 grid of dots.

Transformations Draw transformations online and have them instantly checked. Includes reflections, translations, rotations and enlargements.

Rotational Symmetry Pairs The traditional pairs or pelmanism game adapted to test knowledge of rotational symmetry.

Symmetry Table Challenge In how many cells can you draw symmetrical shapes with the given row and column headings?

Click on a topic below for suggested lesson Starters, resources and activities from Transum.

Transformations A transformation in mathematics is an operation performed on a shape (or points) which changes the view of that shape (or points). This topic includes four transformations namely reflection, translation, rotations and enlargement. A reflection can best be described as the mirror image of a shape in a given line (which acts as the mirror). After reflection the shape remains the same size but the orientation is the mirror image of the original. The transformation known as a translation can be thought of as a movement or shift in position. The size and orientation of the shape remains the same but the position on the plane changes. A rotation can be described as turning. This transformation is defined by the angle of turning and the centre of rotation (the point which does not move during the turning). Finally enlargement is the term we use when a shape increases in size but maintains the same shape. The shape after enlargement is defines as being similar to the shape before enlargement. His use of the word similar has a precise mathematical meaning. All of the angles in the enlarged shape are the same as the angles in the original shape and the lengths of the sides are in the same proportion. An enlargement is defines by the scale factor of the enlargement and the centre of enlargement. We use the term enlargement even if the shape becomes smaller (a scale factor between minus one and one). A negative scale factor will produce an enlarged mirror image of the original shape.

Lesson Starters

Here are some suggestions for whole-class, projectable resources which can be used at the beginnings of each lesson in this block.

1st Lesson

Reflective Cat

On squared paper copy the drawing of the face then reflect it in three different lines.

2nd Lesson

Rotational Symmetry

Draw a pattern with rotational symmetry of order 6 but no line symmetry.

3rd Lesson

Wrapping Paper

Find the order of rotational symmetry of the repeating pattern.

4th Lesson

Upside Number

Work out the phone number from the clues given.

5th Lesson

Wrong Way Round

Find calculations which written back to front give the same answer.

6th Lesson

Refreshing Revision

It is called Refreshing Revision because every time you refresh the page you get different revision questions.

Some of the Starters above are to reinforce concepts learnt, others are to introduce new ideas while others are on unrelated topics designed for retrieval practice or and opportunity to develop problem-solving skills.

White Rose Resources

End of block assessments provide a quick progress check at the end of each block of learning to make sure students have understood the content covered.