misterteacher.com - Symmetry in Nature

Symmetry is everywhere you look in nature. If you look at plants and animals, you will find that they have symmetrical body shapes and patterns. If you divide a leaf in half, you will often find that one half has the same shape as the other half.

Below you will find several examples of how butterflies and plants are symmetrical in shape. If you're not sure how this can be, take some time to look at the diagrams below for a primer on symmetry in nature.

Symmetry in Nature

> Line Symmetry
> Classroom Ideas
> Radial Symmetry

Students should be able to:

explain where line and radial symmetry occur in nature.

Linear Symmetry

The type of symmetry pictured below is known as line symmetry or bilateral symmetry. Take a close look at the beetle and the butterfly. Each is divided down the middle by a purple line. You should notice that they look exactly the same on opposite sides of their bodies.

Beetle

Butterfly

Practice 1

Look at the butterfly below. If we draw a line of symmetry down the middle, how would the two sides be the same? Think of at least five ways they would be the same.

Practice 2

Classroom Idea for Teachers

Have your students create their own symmetrical butterflies. Click on the link below and print the butterfly templates. Then have students create their own patterns and color them exactly the same on both sides so that they will be symmetrical. Check out the sample below.