Hole-Punch Symmetry

Age group
  • Primary (Age 6 to 9)

Curriculum Goal

Primary: Geometry and Spatial Sense

Describe the relative positions of several objects and the movements needed to get from one object to another.

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Context

Students are sitting at desks or on a carpet facing the interactive whiteboard/projector.

Materials
  • Interactive whiteboard or projector
  • Hole-Punch Symmetry slides ()
  • Hole punch and square papers used for checking predictions

Lesson

  • Hold a square piece of paper and clearly show students that you are folding it in diagonally with the fold at the right.
  • With the paper held in front of you, punch a hole in the top right-side corner (right angle).
  • Show students the example of the Hole-Punch Symmetry slides (). Explain that the bold line indicates the fold. Challenge students to visualize what the piece of paper looks like when unfolded.
    • Present four possible options of what the square would like unfolded and invite students to select the best option.
    • Unfold the piece of paper to confirm students’ prediction.
  • Ask students to explain how they knew where the holes would be on the paper. Encourage the use of spatial language.
  • Continue to the next challenges in , which increase in complexity, both in terms of where the folds are on the paper (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal), and with an increasing numbers of folds and/or holes.

Look Fors

  • How does the child describe the location of the holes? Does the child use spatial language (over, under, top, bottom, right, left)?
  • Is the child able to consistently and accurately identify where the holes will be when the paper is unfolded?

Extension

  • Reverse the challenge by showing students the open hole-punched square paper. Ask: If I could only make one hole-punch, how many times would this paper need to be folded to result in this design?
  • Students can create their own hole-punch symmetry challenges and challenge other classmates to solve it.

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