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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recognise 2D shapes such as rectangles, circles and triangles.

      Key learning points

      1. Recognise 2D shapes that are the same, including when the rotation, size or proportion has changed.
      2. Circles are round and have a curved line around the outside.
      3. Triangles have 3 straight sides and 3 vertices.
      4. Rectangles have 4 straight sides and 4 vertices.
      5. Squares are a type of rectangle that have 4 sides the same length.

      Keywords

      • Circle - A 2D shape with one curved line around the outside.

      • Triangle - A 2D shape with 3 sides and 3 vertices.

      • Rectangle - A 2D shape with 4 sides and 4 vertices.

      • Square - A 2D shape with 4 sides the same length and 4 vertices.

      Common misconception

      Children may think that a square is not a rectangle.

      Count the sides and vertices of rectangles (including squares) to show they all have 4 (concept is revisited throughout Year 1 and beyond).

      Teacher tip

      Look for 2D shapes in the environment, for example rectangles painted on the playground, in pictures on the wall. A true 2D shape cannot be handled as it only has 2 dimensions. We can use the language of 'imagine' so that cut-outs can be explored.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which hat is the same as this one?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      B
      Correct answer: C

      Q2.
      Which robot is the same as this one?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: A
      B
      C

      Q3.
      Which image shows this pattern block after it has been rotated?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      Correct answer: B
      C

      Q4.
      Which coins are round?

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q5.
      True or false? All these balloons are the same?

      An image in a quiz
      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q6.
      True or false? All these pictures are of the same face.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: True
      False
      Q4 image 4 Adam Gilchrist/Shutterstock.com

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      How many triangles are there?

      An image in a quiz
      3
      4
      Correct answer: 5

      Q2.
      Which shapes are squares?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Which shape is the same as the one above the line?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      b
      Correct answer: c

      Q4.
      Is Lucas' statement true or false?

      An image in a quiz
      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q5.
      Who is correct?

      Sam
      Correct answer: Izzy
      Lucas

      Q6.
      The children have matched shapes. Who has made a mistake?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: Lucas
      Sam
      Izzy

      To help you plan your 1 maths lesson on: Explore and recognise 2D shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...