RECEPTION/YEAR 1 – MATHEMATICS UNIT PLAN: SHAPES
Lesson Objectives/Focus Assessment
Lesson 1 Describe 2D shapes
using mathematical
language, such as
‘sides’, ‘corners’, ‘flat’,
‘curved’, ‘straight
line’, ‘angle’
Lesson 2 Identify and record
shapes in nature and
their environment.
Learning Activity
Through an Present 2D shapes PowerPoint on the whiteboard. Mathematical
observational vocabulary will be introduced and emphasized throughout the lesson
checklist I will (e.g. ‘sides’, ‘corners’). Explain that we will be learning about 2D
assess if students shapes and that these are flat.
are able to:
- Identify shapes by Who knows what a side is?
name Get a student to come up and show what they think a side is. (The
- Identify the lines that make a shape)
number of sides of a Who can tell me what a corner is?
shape Show students what a corner is so they are able to identify them. (The
- Identify the corners points where two lines meet)
of a shape
During the PowerPoint, I will see if students can identify the shapes. I
will be asking different students how many sides each shape has, and
if they have any corners.
Students look outside and inside the classroom for different shapes.
What shape does the door look like? What shapes can you see in the
kindy?
They will draw pictures of the shapes they find in their math book, and
label them with the shape name. (Extension: Label how many sides
and corners each shape they find has.)
We will come back and sit on the floor. Each child will share a shape
they found and draw it on a small whiteboard that we pass around.

Lesson 3 Show understanding Review the names of 2D shapes (square, rectangle, triangle,
of 2D shapes by pentagon, hexagon, octagon, circle).
creating their own.
Students are asked to make 4 different shapes with 4 sides using
strips of paper. (Extension: Students can create 5 or 6-sided shapes.)

Come back to the floor and show students all the possible shapes
they could have made. Explain that shapes with four sides are called
‘quadrilaterals’.

Lesson 4 Compare different Present shapes PowerPoint. Students compare different shapes (e.g.
shapes and explain rectangle vs. square, star vs. diamond).
how they are
similar/different. What is the same about them?
What is different about them?
Do they have the same number of sides?
Do they have the same number of corners?

Students stand in a circle, they are each given a different shape. I will
ask students to find someone in the circle who has a shape that is the
same/different as theirs. Some students will be asked to explain what
is the same/different about their shapes.

Lesson 5 Symmetry in shapes Students explore different pictures of shapes (triangle, square,
rectangle, circle, etc.) using mirrors to explore symmetry.

Students then cut out their own shapes with coloured paper.
Demonstrate how to fold paper and cut out half of the shape.

Can you make a circle, rectangle, and square?


Lesson 6 Describe 3D shapes Present 3D shapes PowerPoint on the whiteboard. Mathematical
using mathematical vocabulary will be introduced and emphasized throughout the lesson
language, such as (e.g. ‘faces’, ‘corners).
‘faces’, and ‘vertices’
Hold up a cube. Who knows what this shape is called? Who thinks
this is a 2D shape? Is it a flat object?

Where in the environment do you find them? Can anyone see a 3D

shape in the classroom?
Lesson 7 Identify 3D shapes by Students use 3D shapes (cubes, prisms, cones, etc.) to create a
their correct name. robot. Students describe the shapes they have used and write a short
description.
Lesson 8 Identify the difference Through an Students are seated in a circle. Place the word 2D on one side and
between 2D and 3D observational 3D on the other side of the circle. Place assorted objects in the middle
shapes. checklist I will of the circle.
assess if students
are able to identify: Explain to students that I need their help sorting my 2D and 3D
- The difference shapes. Ask students one at a time to find either a 2D or 3D shape
between 2D and 3D and to place it in the correct group.
shapes
How are the 2D shapes and 3D shapes different?
Encourage students to use words such as flat, curved, edges and
faces, when describing the differences.