Measurement, Space & Statistics
Exploring Shapes and Position
Year 1 · Year 2
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to identify and name common 2D shapes and describe their features.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to identify and name common 3D objects and describe their features.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to use everyday language to describe the position of objects.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to compare and sort shapes based on their attributes.
Key concepts
2D shapes are flat shapes that you can draw on a piece of paper. They only have length and width. We describe them by counting their straight sides and corners (also called vertices).
Here are some 2D shapes we learn about:\n- **Circle**: Has 1 curved side and no corners.\n- **Square**: Has 4 straight sides that are all the same length, and 4 corners.\n- **Rectangle**: Has 4 straight sides, with opposite sides being the same length, and 4 corners.\n- **Triangle**: Has 3 straight sides and 3 corners.\n- **Quadrilateral**: Any shape with 4 straight sides and 4 corners (squares and rectangles are quadrilaterals).\n- **Pentagon**: Has 5 straight sides and 5 corners.\n- **Hexagon**: Has 6 straight sides and 6 corners.\n- **Octagon**: Has 8 straight sides and 8 corners.
3D objects are solid shapes that take up space. You can hold them in your hand. We describe them by counting their flat faces (surfaces), edges (where two faces meet), and vertices (corners).
Here are some 3D objects we learn about:\n- **Cube**: Has 6 flat square faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices (like a dice).\n- **Rectangular Prism**: Has 6 flat rectangular faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices (like a brick or a tissue box).\n- **Sphere**: Has 1 curved surface, no flat faces, no edges, and no vertices (like a ball).\n- **Cylinder**: Has 2 flat circular faces, 1 curved surface, 2 curved edges, and no vertices (like a can of soup).\n- **Cone**: Has 1 flat circular face, 1 curved surface, 1 curved edge, and 1 vertex (like a party hat).
We use special words to describe where things are. These words help us understand the position of objects in relation to other things or to give directions.
Some common words for position include:\n- **Above**: Higher than something else.\n- **Below**: Lower than something else.\n- **Next to**: Beside something else.\n- **In front of**: Closer to you than something else.\n- **Behind**: Further away from you than something else.\n- **Left**: On the left side.\n- **Right**: On the right side.\n- **Inside**: Within the boundaries of something.\n- **Outside**: Not within the boundaries of something.\n- **Between**: In the middle of two things.
Key facts to remember
- 12D shapes are flat; 3D objects are solid.
- 22D shapes have sides and corners (vertices).
- 33D objects have faces, edges, and vertices.
- 4A square has 4 equal straight sides and 4 corners.
- 5A triangle has 3 straight sides and 3 corners.
- 6A circle has 1 curved side and no corners.
- 7A cube has 6 flat square faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices.
- 8A sphere is round with 1 curved surface and no flat faces, edges, or vertices.
- 9Words like 'above', 'below', 'next to', 'in front of', 'behind', 'left', and 'right' help us describe position.
Worked examples
Example 1
Look at the shape below. What is its name? How many straight sides and corners does it have?
Answer
The shape is a triangle. It has 3 straight sides and 3 corners.
Drawing the shape in the air with your finger can help you count the sides and corners.
Example 2
Imagine you have a box of cereal. What 3D object is it most like? How many flat faces does it have?
Answer
A cereal box is most like a rectangular prism. It has 6 flat faces.
You can use real-life objects around you to help identify 3D shapes and their features.
Example 3
If a ball is on the floor and a book is on the table, describe the position of the ball relative to the table.
Answer
The ball is below the table.
Always state the position of one object in relation to another specific object mentioned in the question.
Common mistakes
- ✗Confusing 2D shapes with 3D objects (e.g., calling a square a cube).
- ✗Incorrectly counting the number of sides, corners, faces, edges, or vertices.
- ✗Mixing up 'left' and 'right' when describing position.
- ✗Not understanding that a square is also a type of rectangle and a quadrilateral.
Exam tips
- ★Read the question carefully to know if it's asking about a 2D shape or a 3D object.
- ★Use your finger to trace the sides and count the corners/vertices on shapes to avoid missing any.
- ★When describing position, always think about where the object is compared to the reference point given.
- ★Practice identifying shapes and describing positions using objects around your home or classroom.
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