Describe and name polygons, including triangles and quadrilaterals
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recognise and describe polygons including triangles and quadrilaterals.
Key learning points
- The names of polygons are linked to the number of sides/vertices they have.
- A quadrilateral is any polygon with 4 sides.
- A triangle is any polygon with 3 sides.
- Squares and rectangles are quadrilaterals.
Keywords
Quadrilateral - A polygon with 4 sides and 4 vertices.
Rectangle - A polygon with 4 sides and 4 'square corners'.
Square - A polygon with 4 equal sides and 4 'square corners'.
Triangle - A polygon with 3 sides.
Common misconception
Children may mistake a 'triangle-like' shape for a triangle.
Provide opportunities to explore and handle cut-outs of triangles and triangle-like shapes. Describe and compare how the sides and corners feel. Touch the part of the shape that shows that it is not a triangle and explain how you know.
Teacher tip
When children are sorting shapes into sets, they would benefit from having cut-outs of shapes, as although not strictly 2D, they will be able to handle them when deciding which set to place each in.
Licence
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 of these shapes are polygons?
Q2.Which of these shapes are not polygons?
Q3.Which of the statements are true for all polygons?
Q4.What is the same about all of these polygons?
Q5.This polygon has sides and vertices.
Q6.Which polygon should not be part of this set? Polygon .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the name of the shape with its properties.
have 3 vertices and 3 straight sides
have 4 vertices and 4 straight sides
Q2.Which of these shapes is not a triangle?
Q3.Which of these shapes are quadrilaterals?
Q4.Which shape should not be part of this set?
Q5.This shape is a quadrilateral and also a .
Q6.This shape is not a triangle because...
To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Describe and name polygons, including triangles and quadrilaterals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Describe and name polygons, including triangles and quadrilaterals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Shape: discuss and compare 2D and 3D shapes unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.