Module 5 Understanding shape
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Can I name and describe 2-D and 3-D shapes?

Example review questions

  • How many hexagons can you see?
  • Can you see a square? How do you know? What is special about it?
  • Find and name a shape this is not rectangular.
  • Pick a shape and describe it. Can your friend guess which shape it is?

Different shapes
  • Look at these 3-D shapes. Which ones will roll? What is special about shapes that roll?
  • Find and name the shape with eight corners and six square faces.
  • Which of these shapes has no edges?
  • Two of the shapes have one curved face and two flat circular faces. Can you find them and name them?

Different 3-D shapes

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Can I name and describe 2-D and 3-D shapes? - teaching guidance | 57KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work.

PDF file ITP Guide | 4317KB new window

SWF file Polygon ITP | 31KB new window

SWF file Area ITP | 41KB new window

XLS file Guess my shape spreadsheet | 75KB new window

PDF file Guess my shape spreadsheet guide | 434KB new window

PDF file Recognising shapes and properties ideas | 16KB new window

PDF file Describing shapes activity | 35KB new window

PDF file Shape grid | 22KB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Art/design technology, e.g. build models and make pictures and designs with 3-D and 2-D shapes. Describe them using shape vocabulary.
  • Puzzles and riddles, e.g. I have rectangular faces. They are not all the same size. What am I?
  • Games, e.g. look at a set of shapes then close your eyes while one is removed. Open your eyes and describe to a partner the shape that you think has been removed.
  • Maths trail, e.g. use a digital camera to make a shape trail around the school and grounds, looking for shapes in different positions and orientations. Make some questions for others to follow the trail.
  • Problems and puzzles, e.g. how many triangles can you count?
    A triangle split into 6 sections

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • Here is a pink shape hiding behind a wall.
    A red shape with only 2 sides visible behind a wall
    What shape could it be? How do you know? What shape couldn't it be? Why?
  • Imagine a cube. Five faces are blue, the rest are yellow. How many are yellow?
  • Imagine a hexagon in your head. Can you tell me about it so that I can picture it?
  • If someone told you that all four-sided shapes are squares, what would you say to them?
  • What is the same and what is different about these two shapes?
    A rectangle and a square
  • Describe a shape in a feely bag. What might it be? Why? What would you expect to feel if I told you the shape in the bag is a cuboid?