Reflections

Investigating Reflections with the Communicator

Materials Needed: Communicators

Reflections 1 Template (From Big Book of HS Communicator Templates)

Procedures:

1. Ask students to place their Communicator® on top of the Reflections 1 template and trace one of the shapes along with the reflection line. Then by flipping the Communicator® over the students can trace the

shape and create a reflection over the line of reflection. Ask students to draw a line between corresponding points on the two shapes. Ask

students to describe what they see. (The line between two corresponding points is perpendicularly bisected by the line of reflection.)

2. Ask students to trace one of the figures from the Reflections 1 template on their Communicator®. Using the concept learned in the previous exploration, have students select several vertices, create line segments from these vertices that are perpendicularly bisected by the line of reflection and then create the reflected figure. Ask students to describe how these perpendicular bisectors help them draw the reflected shape. (Each line segment describes a new set of points equidistant from the line of reflection.)

Extension:

1. Ask students to draw one of the figures from Reflections 1 on their communicator. This time draw the line of reflection so it does not touch the figure. Create the figure that is a reflection of the first figure over the line of reflection. Repeat the same two activities above with this new figure.

2. Ask students to draw one of the figures from Reflections 1 on their communicator. This time draw the line of reflection so that it intersects the figure. Create the figure that is a reflection of the first figure over the line of reflection. Repeat the same two activities above with this new figure.