Example 1
How many sides does a triangle have?
- Run your finger along each side.
- 1, 2, 3.
Answer: 3
🧸 British maths, age 5 · session 7 of 26 · 45 minutes · ⭐ Plus
2D shapes
Circles, triangles, squares and more: count the sides and corners, find shapes around the house and make repeating shape patterns.
A complete lesson · 45 minutes
Teach it, see it, practise it, all on this page.
Open this page with your learner and work down it, or press Teach this lesson to go through it one step at a time on a big screen. Every section has something to do.
- Warm-up4 min
- Four shapes8 min
- Pentagon and hexagon8 min
- Patterns7 min
- Activity 15 min
- Activity 25 min
- Activity 34 min
- Picture quiz3 min
- Home activity1 min
By the end you can
- Name circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons and hexagons
- Count sides and corners
- Continue a shape pattern
Before you start
- Counting to 10
Have ready
- Paper shapes or building blocks
- Crayons
Age 5 · Reception and Year 1 (UKG)
Warm-up · think first
Look around the room. Can you find something round like a circle?
Show the answer
A clock, a plate or a wheel are circles. Shapes are everywhere!
Teacher tip: Go on a quick shape hunt around the room.
Part 1 of 3 · learn, see, practise
Circles, triangles, squares and rectangles
Straight sides meet at corners. A triangle has 3 sides and 3 corners.
A square has 4 equal sides. A rectangle has 4 sides: 2 long and 2 short. A circle has no straight sides and no corners.
Example 2
What is the difference between a square and a rectangle?
- Both have 4 sides and 4 corners.
- A square's sides are all the same length; a rectangle has 2 long and 2 short.
Answer: A square has 4 equal sides
Practise it
Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.
Warm-up
Warm-up
Core
Core
Stretch 🔥
Answers (for the teacher)
- 4
- 3
- 4
- 0
- 6
⭐ Part of Pure Faith Plus
The rest of this lesson is in Plus
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You have seen the plan, the warm-up and part 1. With Plus you also get:
- Part 2: Pentagons and hexagons, with practice at three levels
- Part 3: Shape patterns, with practice at three levels
- Class activity 1: Shape hunt at home
- Class activity 2: Count the corners
- Class activity 3: Shape riddles
- A 8-question quiz
- After-class project: Shape picture
- Homework and a printable practice sheet with answers
- Teach mode and the minute-by-minute teacher's plan
The first 2 lessons of every course, every game and all maths practice stay free.
That is ₹208 a month for every lesson of every course. Prefer a teacher? Ask about live classes.
FAQ
2D shapes: questions
Which shapes should a 5-year-old know?
Circles, triangles, squares and rectangles first, then pentagons and hexagons, with their sides and corners. 3D shapes come next.
Is a square a rectangle?
Yes, a square is a special rectangle with all four sides the same length. Young children learn the names separately first.
How can I teach shapes at home?
Go on shape hunts: doors, plates, windows and road signs are all shapes.
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