List of CCSS Math Apps

This page has each of the Common Core Mathematics strands with a list of apps that can be used with these concepts.

CCSS Math App Page

Teaching Symmetry

Teaching Symmetry

In the new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, symmetry is mentioned in the fourth grade 4.G.3 standard:

Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.

3. Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.

Thinking about how to add technology to enhance teaching symmetry, here are a few ideas.......

Get students to move around the classroom, school, or playground with the iPad and take pictures of objects they believe contain a "line of symmetry". Then use the Explain Everything ($2.99) to place the picture on the screen while placing a line of symmetry through the object. The nice aspect of this app is creating a video recording of the student placing the line of symmetry through the photo. Here is a simple sample video of this activity:

Geoboard (Free) Students can create shapes with the Geoboard app, take photo by clicking on the home button and power button at the same time. Then use the Explain Everything app to create lines of symmetry on the shapes that were created through Geoboard.

Concept Mapping is another strategy when learning symmetry. The following free versions of Sticky Notes (Free) and Inspiration Map (Free) will give you a start. Both of apps can be updated and give more options that may be useful when working with concept maps.

Inspiration Map Example (the lite version does give you the options to embed photos):

Sticky Notes Example (the free version does not allow you to embed photos):

Symmetry Shuffle ($1.99) The app explores line and rotational symmetry through the use of turns, flips, and slides. This app may look like a no-brainer, but trust me it takes some thoughtful thinking to work through each level. Teachers watching their students use this app can periodically have their students demonstrate which move would be a slide, flip, or turn and even give the alternate vocabulary word (translation, reflection, rotation).

Mandalar ($.99) is an inexpensive app if you are looking for virtual pattern block manipulatives. If students were in pairs, the first student could create a shape using the blocks and the second student would create a symmetrical image right next to the original.

Yikes!

It's July 10th and I haven't even posted for this month yet...that means I have been enjoying summer break tooooo much! I noticed some activity on the blog today and wanted to welcome comments or suggestions to pages or posts. I would like this space to be a place to share ideas! .....as long as they are positive comments ;)  I'm interested to find out who is looking and reading my posts. It might even be fun to do a Skype chat with your school, if anyone was interested. To all of you...thanks for checking out the iPads in K-8 Education blog.


I have been working on making the Common Core State Standards page more user-friendly, so look for that page to change in the near future.


CCSS Math Page