Identifying parallel lines

I can identify parallel lines and extend lines in polygons to determine if sides are parallel.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

New

Year 3

Identifying parallel lines

I can identify parallel lines and extend lines in polygons to determine if sides are parallel.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

View new resources

Slide deck

Download slide deck

Skip slide deck

Lesson details

Key learning points

If you extend the side of a shape beyond the shape you can identify parallel and perpendicular lines.
Lines are parallel because they are always the same distance apart.

Keywords

Parallel - Parallel lines are straight lines that are always the same distance apart. They never get closer together or further apart.

Common misconception

Children may overgeneralise that parallel lines can only come in pairs or must be horizontal or vertical in orientation.

These misconceptions are addressed in the lesson. You may wish to use these to create additional examples and non-examples to compare and share.

In Cycle 2 children learn to extend lines to check if they are parallel. Take time to encourage discussion and prediction so that they are selective about which lines they extend to check.

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).