2D shapes
2D shapes are flat shapes with length and width but no thickness, like circles, triangles, squares and hexagons. You can draw them on paper.
Maths · Ages 5–6 · 45 minutes
2D shapes and their properties
Children name common 2D shapes and describe them by counting their sides and corners, whatever their size, colour or which way round they are.
Success criteria
- I can name circles squares triangles and rectangles
- I can count sides and corners
- I can spot a shape even when it is turned
Key vocabulary
- shape
- side
- corner
- straight
- curved
- circle
- triangle
- square
- rectangle
- pentagon
- hexagon
You will need
- a feely bag
- plastic or card 2D shapes in different sizes and colours
- lolly sticks and playdough
- mini whiteboards
Curriculum links
- Year 1· England
- Kindergarten· United States
- Primary 1· Nigeria
- Class 1· India
- Common Core K.G.A.2: Name shapes correctly whatever their size or which way they are turned.
- Common Core K.G.B.4: Describe and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes using informal language (sides, corners).
- Common Core 1.G.A.1: Tell defining attributes of shapes (such as three sides) apart from non-defining ones (such as colour).
- England NC Y1.MA.GP.1: Recognise and name common 2-D shapes (rectangles, squares, circles, triangles) and 3-D shapes.
- England NC Y2.MA.GP.1: Identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including the number of sides and line symmetry.
Practice sheets
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Shapes
Shapes
Shape hunt: hexagons
1.Starter
7 minutesFeely bag. One child puts a hand in and describes a shape without looking: "It's got straight sides... it's got pointy corners... three of them." The class guesses. Do three shapes. Ask: "What helped you guess?" Write the words "side" and "corner" on the board.
2.Teach
12 minutesHold up a large triangle. "Let's count its sides. A side is a straight edge." Run your finger along each side: 1, 2, 3. "Now its corners. A corner is where two sides meet." Touch each: 1, 2, 3. "Three sides, three corners. Tri means three."
Do the same for a square (4 equal sides, 4 corners), a rectangle (4 sides, 4 corners, two long and two short) and a circle ("one curved side and no corners").
Then turn the square on its point. "Is it still a square?" Children often say "it's a diamond now". "Count its sides. Are they still equal? Still four corners? Turning a shape doesn't change what it is."
Step by step
- Count the sidesRun your finger along each straight edge.
- Count the cornersTouch each point where two sides meet.
- Name it3 sides is a triangle, 4 sides could be a square or rectangle, 5 is a pentagon, 6 is a hexagon.
Show a long, thin triangle and an upside-down one. "Still triangles? How do you know?" (Three sides, three corners.)
