Recognise and sort polygons

I can explain what a polygon is and sort polygons in different ways.

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Year 2

Recognise and sort polygons

I can explain what a polygon is and sort polygons in different ways.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

A polygon has straight sides.
The sides of a polygon meet at vertices.
A polygon is a 2D shape.
Polygons can be sorted in different ways.
Properties of polygons include the number of sides and the number of vertices.

Keywords

Polygon - A 2D shape made up of 3 or more straight sides.
2D / two dimensional - A shape with only two measurable dimensions, e.g. width and length, but no thickness.
Sides - The outside edges of a shape.
Vertices - A vertex is the point where two lines meet. The plural is vertices.

Common misconception

Some children might not count the sides or vertices accurately because they lose track of where they started counting.

Ask children how they can make sure they only count each side or vertex once. Model marking each side or vertex as you count it.

Provide opportunities for children to handle and explore cut-outs of a wide range of polygons. Include examples with all sides and vertices the same, with some sides and vertices the same and some different and with all sides and vertices different.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).