Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Checking compass skills

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can confidently use a pair of compasses to draw circles and arcs.

      Key learning points

      1. A pair of compasses can be used to draw any circle.
      2. A pair of compasses can be used to draw circle with a particular radius.
      3. A pair of compasses can be used to draw part of a circle.

      Keywords

      • Pair of compasses - A pair of compasses is a tool which can be used to draw circles and arcs. A pair of compasses is sometimes referred to just as a compass.

      Common misconception

      When drawing circles, pupils may find that the start and end of their arcs do not join together.

      This can be caused by the pair of compasses opening or closing mid-drawing. Hold it with one hand and rest the pencil gently on the page.

      Teacher tip

      For this lesson, pupils will need a pair of compasses, pencil, ruler and several sheets of plain paper.

      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

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A is a shape such that every point on the circumference is equidistant to its centre.

      Correct Answer: circle

      Q2.
      Which is the definition of a radius?

      Correct answer: any line segment that joins the centre of a circle to its edge
      any line segment that joins one edge of a circle with another
      the furthest distance from one side of a circle to another
      the perimeter of a circle

      Q3.
      In which image is the circumference labelled with a question mark?

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

      Q4.
      The ruler measures in cm. How long is the radius of the circle?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 3.5 cm
      7 cm
      7$$\pi$$ cm

      Q5.
      Which shapes can not be a circle?

      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

      Q6.
      The diameter of a circle is 12 cm. Its radius is cm.

      Correct Answer: 6, six, 6cm, 6 cm

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The image shows a pencil inside a pair of .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: compasses

      Q2.
      When drawing a circle with a pair of compasses, where is the needle once the circle is complete?

      an arc of the circle
      Correct answer: at the centre of the circle
      on the circumference of the circle
      part way across the radius of the circle

      Q3.
      An of a circle is part of the circle’s circumference.

      Correct Answer: arc

      Q4.
      Which one of these images is not a correct way to hold a pair of compasses while drawing a circle or arc?

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

      Q5.
      Which part of a circle can be drawn by using a pair of compasses and rotating the pencil around the needle?

      Correct answer: an arc
      a diameter
      a radius

      Q6.
      Aisha is about to use the pair of compasses to draw a circle. Which statement will be true, once it is drawn?

      An image in a quiz
      The circumference will be 10 cm.
      The diameter will be 10 cm.
      Correct answer: The radius will be 10 cm.

      To help you plan your 8 maths lesson on: Checking compass skills, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...