Slide and Flip: Reflection and Translation

About This Resource

A free Grade 4 math worksheet on two ways to move a shape: a translation (a slide left, right, up or down without turning) and a reflection (a flip in a mirror line). Students tell translations from reflections, translate points on a grid by counting squares, reflect points in vertical and horizontal mirror lines, check what stays the same, and translate the corners of a triangle. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

Students learn that shapes can move without changing their size or shape. In a translation, every point slides the same number of squares left or right and up or down, and the shape does not turn. In a reflection, the shape flips over a mirror line, so each point ends up the same distance from the line on the other side and the shape looks back-to-front. Students use coordinates on a grid to describe both moves, work out the new positions of points, and explain what changes and what stays the same.

Resource Details

Subject: Math
Topic: Reflection and Translation
Category: Shapes & Geometry
File Type: PDF
File Size: 243.4 KB
Published: 08 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 4 math (ages 9–10) 45 minutes Geometry coordinates position and direction spatial reasoning

Student Task

Draw a 10 by 10 grid on the board. Slide a paper triangle 3 squares right and ask: "Did it turn? Did it change size?" Then flip it over a line and compare.
Do activities 1 and 2 together, acting out each move with a paper shape.
Students complete activities 3 to 6 on their own, using squared paper if they need it. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Robot moves: one student gives directions such as "3 squares right, 2 squares up" and a partner moves a counter on a grid.
Mirror pictures: fold paper, paint on one side and press to make a reflected picture.
Grid treasure hunt: hide a treasure at a point; teams find it from a list of translations.

Differentiation

Support: give students squared paper with the axes already numbered so they can plot every point. Challenge: students find the single translation that has the same effect as two translations, such as 3 right then 2 left.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check describing and carrying out translations and reflections (answer key included). Activity 6 shows whether students can translate a whole shape and explain their method.

Learning Objectives

Describe a translation using left, right, up and down.
Find the new coordinates of a point after a translation.
Reflect a point in a vertical or horizontal mirror line.

Teacher Tips

For reflections, count the squares from the point to the mirror line, then count the same number on the other side. Students who reflect by eye often land one square out.

What's Included

6-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)