Marissa Ann SnodgressChristopher Lloyd KerlinJeff AdjeiAmy Pietrowski

Exeter Field Trip

Purpose of the activity: To assess students’ understanding of the concept of symmetry and to give them an opportunity to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom.

Description of how technology will be used: Students will use digital cameras to take pictures depicting symmetry in the real world while on a field trip. They can use a variety of software to make their final product. Options could include PowerPoint, Word document, Podcast/Vodcast, and/or a Video.

Description of what happens in the activity: This activity could be the culminating activity for a unit on symmetry. It could serve as an assessment for individual students. While on the field trip, students would be expected to find various examples of symmetry in the real world. Depending on the grade level taught, the teacher would tailor the requirements expected from the students on the final product. For example, a fifth grade teacher might expect 5 examples of the basic concept of symmetry with written explanations for why they are examples of symmetry to check for understanding. On the other hand, an eighth grade teacher might require various examples of line symmetry and/or rotational symmetry (90o, 180 o, 270 o, 360 o)– being as specific as they need based on the unit they taught. Upon return students will be given time to complete their final product that would exemplify their understanding of the concept of symmetry by including their photos with explanations.

Here is an example of what a student-made project done in Word might look like with explanations depending on grade-level.

Johnny B. Good Symmetry Assessment

The iron work in this façade has line (reflective) symmetry because you can draw a line straight down the middle and it will fold over and exactly match up. I believe it has four lines of reflective symmetry. It also has rotational symmetry (90o)because it can be rotated and the image will remain the same.

This concrete stain-glassed window on the Exeter Cathedral has rotational symmetry and line (reflective) symmetry. It has two lines of reflective symmetry – one going vertical through the center and one horizontal going through the center.

The wooden circles have one line of reflective symmetry (a vertical line through the center), and I believe 120o rotational symmetry about the center because the image will return to itself.

This iron butterfly has one line of reflective symmetry straight down the middle. If you were to fold it over the shape would match up exactly.

The top big circle in this stain glassed window inside the Exeter Cathedral has four lines of reflective symmetry. It also has 90o rotational symmetry about the center point because in all cases the image returns to itself.

These leaves have translational symmetry because if they slide over they will match up.

This car has one line of reflective symmetry down the middle (not including the license plate) because the lights and hinges on the trunk would match up.