Module 4 Understanding shape
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Can I sort shapes, choosing my own criteria?

Example review questions

  • Choose two shapes from this set. Describe what is the same about them and what is different about them.
    A mixture of two dimentional shapes.
  • Can you sort these shapes into the correct place in this table?
    A table with three column headings. All right angles, some right angles and no right angles.
  • Can you identify one of these shapes that is an odd one out? Explain why you have identified that shape.A mixture of three dimensional shapes.
  • Sort this set of 3-D shapes into two different groups. Can someone work out how you sorted them?

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.

DOC file Can I sort shapes, choosing my own criteria? - teaching guidance | 169KB new window

Consolidation and practice

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

SWF file Carroll diagram | 11KB new window

DOC file Carroll diagram guide | 144KB new window

XLS file Carroll diagram | 116KB new window

DOC file Guess my shape/number guide | 152KB new window

XLS file Guess my shape/number | 63KB new window

DOC file Classifying polygons teaching prompts | 57KB new window

SWF file Sorting 2-D shapes | 1KB new window

DOC file 2-D shape resource cards | 44KB new window

 

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • shape problems and puzzles, e.g. Sort this set of shapes into two groups, deciding upon your own criterion. Now can you think of another criterion that would have exactly the same shapes together in the same groups?
  • data handling, e.g. Find a 3-D shape for each cell of this Carroll diagram. Now make a new diagram with your own labels.
    A Carroll diagram. Prism and not a prism across the top. Has verticles and does not have verticals across the side.
  • art/design technology, e.g. Which regular 2-D shapes can be used as tiles to cover a surface completely? Why? Design a tiling pattern.

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • Find some quadrilaterals that have two angles that are smaller than right angles and two that are bigger than right angles.
  • One of these shapes is in the wrong place on the diagram. Which one?
    A diagram depicting the sorting of shapes into two categories: all sides equal and all sides not equal.
  • Look at this table.
    • What criterion was used to sort the shapes?
    • How do you know?

    A table containing two columns with pictures of three dimentional shapes.
  • Identify as many 2-D shapes as you can for each section of this Venn diagram. Which section did you find it hardest to identify shapes for? Why?
    A Venn diagram with two labels: quadrilateral and all angles equal.