Shapes and patterns can have many different lines of symmetry. This all depends on how many times the shape can be folded in half, yet still remain the same on both sides. A circle, for example, has an infinite number of lines of symmetry because there are more ways of folding it in half than there are of counting. Other shapes, like a love heart, can only be folded in half one way. For an art activity using mirrors, children might also get a lot out of this Frida Kahlo Inspired Self-Portrait Activity. Following her accident, Frida’s scope of vision was limited from where she lay in bed, so she requested a mirror be placed on the ceiling over her. This way, she could see herself and draw and paint lots of self-portraits. As well as teaching your child about symmetry, these challenge cards can be used to support the development of fine motor skills as well as visual coordination. This exercise will test their accuracy, focus and is an excellent, hands-on way for them to learn all about reflective symmetry and how it works. Shimozono M, Oishi A, Hata M, Matsuki T, Ito S, Ishida K, et al. The significance of cone outer segment tips as a prognostic factor in epiretinal membrane surgery. Am J Ophthalmol. 2012;153:698–704. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are avascular fibrous layers characterized by abnormal fibrocellular proliferation on the inner retinal surface with a prevalence ranging from 2.2 to 28.9%, and they are more common in elderly people [ 1, 2, 3, 4]. ERM involving the macular or peri-macular regions can cause visual impairment, metamorphopsia, micropsia, and occasionally monocular diplopia. Although ERMs may develop secondary to cataract surgery, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusions, diabetic retinopathy, or uveitis and retinal tearing, most cases are idiopathic [ 5, 6, 7].

Reflective symmetry is where a shape or pattern is reflected in a mirror line or a line of symmetry. The shape that has been reflected will be the same as the original, it should also be the same size and it will be the same distance away from the mirror. What is Rotational symmetry? Watanabe K, Tsunoda K, Mizuno Y, Akiyama K, Noda T. Outer retinal morphology and visual function in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013;131:172–7. Even if it is not immediately obvious from the description, many of the academic assignments you will need to complete contain some form of reflection. You might be asked to write an essay where you respond to a piece of text or an image, relate a topic to your own experiences or discuss whether a certain model fits with your own views. Reflection can also be useful when constructing an academic argument as you will have to think about how all the evidence fits with your own understanding of a topic. Being able to reflect on something is also an important part of critical thinking and writing as it allows you to question arguments made in the literature, be open minded about different approaches and move towards being constructive in your criticism. With any of these assignments it's important to remember not to include too much description and focus on what you are being asked to do. The assessor will understand what the object you are looking at is and they don't need it described to them. They want to know what you think about it, how it relates to your experiences and how this advances your knowledge of a topic. Understanding the line of symmetry can leave children needing a little extra support. Using things like this Line of Symmetry PowerPoint alongside sheets like this Investigating Lines of Symmetry are great examples of ways you can support your children's learning. This is especially important in areas with a high speed limit, as drivers may not have time to react to sudden changes in the road if they don’t spot them in time. The reflective studs help drivers to spot these changes in the road ahead and adjust their speed accordingly.Council MD, Shah GK, Lee HC, Sharma S. Visual outcomes and complications of epiretinal membrane removal secondary to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Ophthalmology. 2005;112:1218–21. Cho KH, Park SJ, Cho JH, Woo SJ, Park KH. Inner-retinal irregularity index predicts postoperative visual prognosis in idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016;168:139–49. Vieira LM, Silva NF, Dias dos Santos AM, dos Anjos RS, Pinto LA, Vicente AR, et al. Retinal ganglion cell layer analysis by optical coherence tomography in toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2015;35:242–5.

If you'd like to learn more about rotational symmetry, then you might like this Rotational Symmetry Worksheet. What is a Line of symmetry?Mori K, Gehlbach PL, Sano A, Deguchi T, Yoneya S. Comparison of epiretinal membranes of differing pathogenesis using optical coherence tomography. Retina. 2004;24:57–62. Reflective symmetry is where a shape or pattern is reflected in a mirror line or a line of symmetry. The shape that has been reflected will be the same as the original, it should also be the same size, and it will be the same distance away from the mirror. If you're looking for a resource to help you teach about lines of symmetry, then why not try this Investigating Lines of Symmetry Worksheet KS2? When do children begin to learn symmetry? These show that there have been changes to the road ahead, or that roadworks are currently taking place.

Govetto A, Su D, Farajzadeh M, Megerdichian A, Platner E, Ducournau Y, et al. Microcystoid macular changes in association with idiopathic epiretinal membranes in eyes with and without glaucoma: clinical insights. Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;181:156–65. Students going into Year 5 will be taught how to reflect shapes and patterns using an axis - they may be given half of the shape and to draw the other or, given the full shape and asked to reflect it over onto the other side. This resource is also available in Scottish Gaelic. Perfect for Gaelic learners! What is reflective symmetry?

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This was a prospective cross-sectional study in which 242 consecutive eyes of 121 patients (mean age: 69.7 ± 7.3 years, male to female ratio: 62:59) with unilateral idiopathic ERM were evaluated in a single institution between December 2016 and December 2017. The exclusion criteria were secondary ERM (due to diabetic retinopathy, venous occlusion, retinal tear, retinal detachment, uveitis, trauma); eyes with pseudoholes, lamellar holes, or opaque media; glaucoma; history of intraocular surgery (except uncomplicated cataract surgery); uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension; coexisting age-related macular degeneration; nicotine abuse; and refractive errors above −2 and +2 diopters. Reflective studs are a common sight on motorways and are designed to help drivers stay in the correct lane and improve visibility in poor weather or darkness. Much like the red studs, these are in place to help drivers know where the lines between the third lane and the central reservation are in low light and difficult weather conditions. White Miguel AI, Legris A. Prognostic factors of epiretinal membranes: a systematic review. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2017;40:61–79.

Govetto A, Lalane RA 3rd, Sarraf D, Figueroa MS, Hubschman JP. Insights into epiretinal membranes: presence of ectopic inner foveal layers and a new optical coherence tomography staging scheme. Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;175:99–113. Kinoshita T, Kovacs KD, Wagley S, Arroyo JG. Morphologic differences in epiretinal membranes on ocular coherence tomography as a predictive factor for surgical outcome. Retina. 2011;31:1692–8.Finally, in Year 6 Children will be able to reflect shapes and reflect a specific shape into three other quadrants using the x-axis and y-axis. Through this, pupils will also begin to learn about coordinates too.