Embedded Files
3. Identification of ‘classes of shapes’ by some properties
Uses properties of shapes to classify shapes into classes, using appropriate language.
Feely box 2
Feely box 2
Materials: Cardboard box with a concealed opening on the side, a collection of triangle and quadrilateral pattern/attribute blocks.
Activity: Ask students to sit in a circle. Teacher places a range of triangles and quadrilaterals into the box and asks the students to pass the box around. Students place their hands into the box and the teacher asks them to choose either a triangle or quadrilateral. Teacher asks, ‘How did you know that you were taking out a X?’, ‘What helped you?’
Students then sort shapes in the centre of the group according to their properties.
Related key ideas: Properties, classification.
Variation: Repeat the task with polygons and non-polygons.
Repeat the task using a variety of triangles, asking students to notice the similarities and differences between them.
Sorting shapes
Sorting shapes
This task has been adapted from PASMAP Book 1 (Mulligan & Mitchelmore 2016a) with permission from the authors.
Materials: Cut-up shapes from Appendix 1.
Activity: Students look at the variety of shapes that have been cut up. Ask, how could you sort these shapes into groups? Is there more than one way to sort them? Students may use the number of sides but may also look at different sized corners.
Introduce the term ‘quadrilateral’. How many quadrilaterals are there? What makes them the same/different? What are the names of all the other shapes that have been left?
Explore the group of triangles and discuss what makes them the same/different. Ask if any of the students know the special names for these different triangles.
Related key ideas: Features, classification.
Page updated
Report abuse