Properties of Shape
Term 3 starting in week 1 :: Estimated time: 3 weeks
- Identify angles (review)
- Compare and order angles (review)
- Measure angles in degrees
- Measuring with a protractor (1)
- Measuring with a protractor (2)
- Drawing lines and angles accurately
- Calculating angles on a straight line
- Calculating angles around a point
- Triangles (review)
- Quadrilaterals (review)
- Calculating lengths and angles in shapes
- Regular and irregular polygons
- Reasoning about 3-D shapes
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Activities for pupils
Here are some related resources in alphabetical order. Some may only be appropriate for high-attaining learners while others will be useful for those in need of support. Click anywhere in the grey area to access the resource.
Estimating Angles Estimate the size of the given acute angles in degrees.
Measuring Angles Video Learn how to use a protractor to measure angles of any size. This video is to help you do the online, self-marking exercise.
Measuring Angles Measure the size of the given angles to within two degrees of their actual value.
Angle Points Video See a demonstration of angles in a full turn around a point, angles together on a straight line and vertically opposite angles.
Nets Video Learn more about three-dimensional shapes and their nets.
Angle Points Apply the properties of angles at a point, angles on a straight line and vertically opposite angles.
Drawing 3D Objects Draw two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects on an isometric dotty grid.
Angles in a Triangle Video A reminder of how to use the fact that the angles in a triangle sum to 180 degrees to find the size of unmarked angles in triangular diagrams.
Angles in a Triangle A self marking exercise involving calculating the unknown angle in a triangle.
Different types of Triangle Euclid and his friends explain how many different kinds of triangle there are.
Polygons Name the polygons and show the number of lines and order of rotational symmetry.
Net or Not Drag the nets into the corresponding panels to show whether they would fold to form a cube.
Online Logo An online version of the Logo programming language with 30 mathematical challenges.
Area shapes Investigate polygons with an area of 4 square units. This is your starting point, you can decide how to proceed.
Polygon Angle Explorer Barbara Bug walks around a regular hexagon turning through each of the exterior angles as she goes.
Shapes In The Stars Join up the stars to find the hidden regular polygons.
Polygon Angles Video A concise reminder about angles, both interior and exterior, in regular and irregular polygons.
Polygon Angles A mixture of problems related to calculating the interior and exterior angles of polygons.
Tessellations Drag the shapes onto the canvas to create tessellating patterns then try the tessellations quiz.
Polygon Pieces Arrange the nine pieces of the puzzle on the grid to make different polygons.
Polygon Profiles A visual aid about the properties of regular polygons designed to be projected onto a whiteboard for whole class exposition.
Polybragging The Transum version of the Top Trumps game played online with the properties of polygons.
Polygon Properties Connect the names of the polygons with the descriptions of their properties.
Snooker Angles An online game for one or two players requiring an ability to estimate angles as bearings.
Faces, Edges and Vertices Calculate the number of faces, edges and vertices on 3D Shapes.
Platonic Solids Identify the names, nets and features of the five regular polyhedra.
Angles Mixed Find the unknown angles by using the basic angle theorems.
Geometry Toolbox Create your own dynamic geometrical diagrams using this truly amazing tool from GeoGebra.
Polygon Hunting Find all the polygons that can be drawn by joining dots on this seven dot grid.
Yes No Questions A game to determine the mathematical item by asking questions that can only be answered yes or no.
Click on a topic below for suggested lesson Starters, resources and activities from Transum.
- Angles Pupils should understand that angles represent an amount of turning and be able to estimate the size of angle. When constructing models and drawing pupils should be able to measure and draw angles to the nearest degree and use appropriate language associated with angles. Pupils should know the angle sums of polygons and that of angles at a point and on a straight line. They will learn about angles made in circles by chords, radii and tangents and recognise the relationships between them. Pupils will work with angles using trigonometry, transformations and bearings. In exams pupils are often instructed that while non-exact answers should be given to three significant figures, angle answers should be given to one decimal place.
- Shape This topic is aimed at the learners of basic geometry, which is the study of size, shape and position. More than other areas of mathematics this topic helps pupils to learn about the definitions and properties of basic shapes. There are many activities provided ranging from simple shape naming games to applying more advanced formulas and theorems. The most popular activities however are those involving pupils to count the number of triangles or rectangles in patterns and come up with effective strategies and justifications for their answers. The work pupils produce for this topic can make very good display material. The use of colour can enhance the diagrams and make the learning environment more conducive to study. There are many connections between the mathematics of shape and Art. There are fascinating works of art based on symmetry, tessellations and transformations.
- Shape (3D) A particular skill is required to be able to excel in this area of Mathematics. Spatial awareness is important for solving multi-step problems that arise in areas such as architecture, engineering, science, art, games, and everyday life. Children have varying abilities visualizing three dimensional relationships but these abilities can be developed through practical activities and working through mathematical problems. Breaking down three dimensional situations into smaller two dimensional parts in an important strategy for problem solving. See also the "Shape" Starters.
Lesson Starters
Here are some suggestions for whole-class, projectable resources which can be used at the beginnings of each lesson in this block.
1st Lesson
Angle Estimates
Estimate the sizes of each of the angles then add your estimates together.
2nd Lesson
Sectors
Work out which sectors fit together to make complete circles. Knowledge of the sum of the angles at a point will help find more than one correct solution to this puzzle.
3rd Lesson
Square Angles
Find a trapezium, a triangle and a quadrilateral where all of the angles are square numbers.
4th Lesson
Pie Chart
An exercise in estimating what the sectors of a pie chart represent.
5th Lesson
Faces and Edges
Find the number of faces, edges and vertices on some familiar objects.
6th Lesson
Icosahedron
How many triangles are there on the surface of a regular icosahedron.
7th Lesson
Dice Nets
Determine whether the given nets would fold to produce a dice.
8th Lesson
Overlapping Squares
If two squares overlap, what shapes can the overlapping region make?
9th Lesson
How Many Triangles? 1
How many Triangles can you find in the diagram?
Some of the Starters above are to reinforce concepts learnt, others are to introduce new ideas while others are on unrelated topics designed for retrieval practice or and opportunity to develop problem-solving skills.
