Mathematics / Year 5 / Measurement and Geometry / Shape

Curriculum content descriptions

Connect three-dimensional objects with their nets and other two-dimensional representations (ACMMG111)

Elaborations
  • identifying the shape and relative position of each face of a solid to determine the net of the solid, including that of prisms and pyramids
  • representing two-dimensional shapes such as photographs, sketches and images created by digital technologies
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Solids (Geometry),  Translation (Geometry),  Nets (Geometry)

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reSolve: Transformations - Frieze patterns

This sequence of three lessons explores transformation and symmetry by engaging students in the design of friezes. Students are introduced to simple friezes, how reflections, rotations and translations are combined to create design elements, explore real frieze examples from furnishings in Parliament House and tyres, then ...

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reSolve: Bifold Boxes

This lesson challenges students to use proportional reasoning to explain how changing the size of a square will affect the size of a box folded from that square. Students fold an origami box from a square of paper and record the dimensions of the resulting box. They then fold a box from a square of paper four times the ...

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reSolve: Area and Perimeter

This series of three lessons explores the relationship between area and perimeter using the context of bumper cars at an amusement park. Students design a rectangular floor plan with the largest possible area with a given perimeter. They then explore the perimeter of a bumper car ride that has a set floor area and investigate ...

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Working out the areas

Do you know how to work out the area of a square, a rectangle or a triangle? Learn the simple maths formulas needed from this video. What would be the area of a rectangle with a height of 5cm and a length of 3cm?

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What skills are important for programming robots?

Listen as David McKinnon from UNSW describes some of the skills that are useful to have if you want to program robots. David explains an activity that exercises problem solving skills. Why don't you try doing it? Look at a map and find some towns that are close to yours. Use the scale on the map to work out the distances ...

Downloadable

What is the area?

Use this diagnostic task to assess what students know about area and using the area formula.

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What is a fractal?

Do you know what a fractal is? Basically, fractals are never-ending patterns created by repeated mathematical equations. In this clip, Yuliya, a student at MIT (in the USA) describes the properties of fractals and shows you where they can be found in technology and nature. Have a good look at the world around you and see ...

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What are pixels?

Meet Kevin Systrom and Piper Hanson as they explain how digital images work. What are pixels, those tiny dots of light, made from? How are colours created and represented? What does Kevin say about the way mathematical functions are used to create different image filters. What is the difference between image resolution ...

Interactive

Waste and materials – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on waste and materials using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

Interactive

Understanding Rotation

A simple, animated introduction to rotation of geometric shapes, with an interactive quiz.

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Triangle Types

An interactive applet in which students classify triangles as isosceles, scalene and equilateral.

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Transformation: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Transformation. Students develop their understanding and skills in transformations including reflections (flips), translations (slides) and rotations (turns). Students investigate reflection symmetry.

Interactive

The divider: with or without remainders

Solve divisions such as 147/7 or 157/6 (some have remainders). Use a partitioning tool to help solve randomly generated divisions. Learn strategies to do complex arithmetic in your head. Split a division into parts that are easy to work with, use times tables, then solve the original calculation.

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The Third Dimension

This resource is a web page containing a drawing task to explore help visualise 3-D objects. Draw an arrangement of cubes on isometric paper which gives us a way of drawing 3D objects more easily. A link to downloadable isometric paper is also provided. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

Interactive

The Numberline

An interactive tool that can help students explore a number line, including points representing integers, fractions and decimals

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The Milky Way

What do you know about the Milky Way? Did you know that there are hundreds of billions of stars in it? Before you embark on your stargazing expedition, watch this video to learn how you can use just your hands and a compass to locate stars in the sky! What is the unit of measurement used when you're measuring distances ...

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Tessellating tiles

In this teaching resource students learn how to construct shapes that will tessellate (or tile) a plane area. Starting with a regular shape known to tessellate (square, equilateral triangle, hexagon), students apply geometrical transformations to the sides of the shape to create new shapes that tessellate. There are links ...

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Taronga Zoo - Rainforest heroes: iPad app

This iPad app provides an experience of Taronga Zoo's stunning Wild Asia rainforest trail. Guided by volunteer researcher Heidi Greentree and a GPS map, students create a PDF field report using the photographs they have taken, observations made and information collected. This can be emailed for further research and discussion ...

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Syllabus bites – Cartesian coordinate system

This Bite is an introduction to the history, terminology, components and use of the Cartesian coordinate system. After completing the resource, students can proceed to six related Syllabus bites modules focusing on transformations on the Cartesian plane.

Interactive

Sustainable transport – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This sustainable transport learning resource will guide students through an extended school based investigation. Students will develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.

Downloadable

Supersize it

Students transform and enlarge shapes using a grid.

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Stateline: Orienteering: using a map and compass

Orienteering requires knowledge of directions, an ability to read a map and the use of a magnetic compass. Find out about the basics of orienteering.

Interactive

Solids

An interactive tutorial about types of solids and the components of simple solids.

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Skeleton Shapes

This resource is a web page containing a practical task to model 3-D objects. The task suggests the use of straws and modelling clay or similar material to create a model of firstly a cube and next other 3-D objects. A printable resource is also available to support the task. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

Downloadable

Skateboard skills

Students identify the components and properties of angles.

Interactive

Sites2See: Space and Geometry for Primary

Selected links to online resources that can support the teaching and learning of geometry for primary-aged students.

Interactive

Sites2See: Patterns and Algebra

Selected links to a range of interactive online resources for the study of patterns and algebra in Foundation to Year 6 Mathematics.

Interactive

Sites2See – number for primary

Selected links to a range of interactive online resources for the study of number in Foundation to Year 6 Mathematics.

Interactive

Sites2See – measurement for primary

Selected links to a range of interactive and print resources for Measurement topics in K-6 Mathematics.

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Shapes and objects: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Shapes and objects. Students describe the properties of 2D shapes and use this knowledge to build objects from their nets and, identify objects from their nets.

Interactive

Shape overlays: picture studio

Position two simple shapes to form an overlap, then cut out that new shape. For example, lay a rectangle over a circle to make a semicircle. Make several shapes. Rotate the shapes and move them around to make pictures. Build a new picture or match an existing picture such as a fish or a truck.

Interactive

Rainforest: use compass points

Use compass points and a scale to find places on a map. Understand abbreviations such as N, W, SW and E. Follow instructions to find four locations. As you go, look up the meaning of tricky words.

Interactive

Rainforest: use a grid map

Use grid references to find places on a map. Follow instructions to find four locations. As you go, look up the meaning of tricky words.

Interactive

Rainforest: make a walking track

Mark the route for a walking track on a map of a rainforest. Choose a section of track based on instructions about distances, compass directions and grid references. Keep adding sections of track to get to the rest house. As you go, look up the meaning of tricky words.

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Prisms and pyramids - years 5 and 6

This is a website providing four activities to develop students' familiarity with three-dimensional shapes, in particular prisms and pyramids. The resource focuses on assisting students to use geometrical language to describe prisms and pyramids, understand their properties and construct geometrical models. The activities ...

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Primary mathematics: games, simulations and modelling

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'games, simulations and modelling' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use games, ...

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Position and location: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Position and location. Students use a grid coordinate system to locate and describe the position of objects, and use relevant positional and directional language to describe position and movement.

Interactive

Playground percentages

Help a town planner to design two site plans for a school. Assign regions on a 10x10 grid for different uses such as a playground, canteen, car park or lawn. Calculate the percentage of the total site used for each region. Use a number line to display fractions and equivalent fractions.

Interactive

Photo hunt: level 4

Explore visual perspectives of solids such as cylinders, spheres, cones and cuboids. Match a 2D photo of a group of 3D objects taken from a different viewpoint. Identify the relative positions of the solids by comparing 2D outlines and colours. Rotate the scene until the view matches the original photo. The solids in the ...

Downloadable

Packaging

Students explore the features and properties of three-dimensional (3D) objects to identify and create nets of 3D objects.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: The long and the short

In this resource students measure objects of different length in centimetres and millimetres, order lengths from shortest to longest, convert between millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Round the outside

In this resource students will calculate the perimeter of different shapes, choose the appropriate measuring device, make different shapes from given perimeters

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Calculating volume

In this resource students find the relationship between, length, width (or breadth), height and volume of rectangular prisms, calculate the volume of rectangular prisms and investigate cubic metres

Interactive

Nets of three-dimensional solids

This is a five-page HTML resource about solving problems with nets of three-dimensional solids. It contains one video and three questions, two of which are interactive. The resource discusses and explains solving problems with nets of three-dimensional solids to reinforce students' understanding.

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Mixed Up Maths, Ep 7: Daredevil geometry

What does a daredevil jumps rider need to know about geometry? Find out as we discover angles for take off and for landing. But before we do that sit down for some angles basics! A good place to start is angles of turn through a circle from a 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, all the way to one full turn. See how many each represents as an angle.

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Mixed Up Maths, Ep 1: Monumental measurement mess ups

Did you know that in Australia we use a metric system for measurement? See if you know the units of measurement for length, mass and volume. Find out what system the United States uses. You guessed it - they don't use the metric system! See how a mix up of these units can cause all kinds of mess ups.

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Mixed Up Maths, Ep 13: Shapes glorious shapes

Did you know that not all pyramids have a square base? Investigate the bases and faces of some pyramids. Travel around the world as we view some famous structures. First stop, we're in search of a building that is a rectangular prism. Find out which world famous building is a pentagonal prism. See what type of 3 dimensional ...

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Metric units and using instruments: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Metric units and using instruments. Students choose appropriate metric units measuring the length, mass and capacity of objects.

Downloadable

Measurement: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of measurement ideas. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in measurement including teaching and cultural implications.

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Measurement and Geometry- Location and transformation

This is a unit of work that uses farming to explore the measurement and geometry concepts of grid references, directional language, area and length. It has a teacher directed task that introduces directional language and grid references and two student work tasks. The work tasks involve designing a farm using a grid and ...

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MathXplosion, Ep 45: How to make an origami frog

Origami folds have associated geometric patterns or "paper trails" in which we are able to visualise different types of triangles, angles, polygons, lines and symmetry. Use these patterns to turn a two-dimensional flat sheet of paper into a three-dimensional hopping frog!

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MathXplosion, Ep 42: Maths in nature

Maths can be found in living things and natural structures. Explore mathematical patterns in nature, such as the tessellating hexagonal units of a honeycomb, the bilateral symmetry of a leaf, the radial symmetry of a snowflake and spiderweb, and the number of right or left spirals on a pinecone or pineapple (Fibonacci numbers).

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MathXplosion, Ep 39: Area vs perimeter

Want to know the trick to making a really big fort? Using cushions to build a fort, explore the concept of finding the largest area for a fixed perimeter. Surprisingly, there is no direct relationship between the perimeter of a rectangle and its area.

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MathXplosion, Ep 34: Kite symmetry

Unfurl the secret of symmetry used in kites to make them fly! A kite in geometry looks a lot like a kite in the sky. We see that a kite is a special quadrilateral in which one of its two diagonals (long and short) is also its axis of symmetry, and if you fold the kite along that diagonal, the two halves will match up exactly ...

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MathXplosion, Ep 33: On the grid

Explore graphs, grids and mapping with a focus on reading and writing location data using coordinate geometry. Grids and maps illustrate the concepts of parallel/perpendicular lines (axes or labelled number lines), ordered pairs and intersection points.

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MathXplosion, Ep 31: Heavy vs big

How would you measure and compare the weight of something? Learn why big things aren't necessarily heavy. All you need is something heavy and a lot of something light and you’ll be able to prove that weight is not the same as size.

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Lengths and areas

This is a website designed for teachers and students in year 5, and addresses components of the length and area topic. It is particularly relevant for selecting appropriate metric units of measurement for length, perimeter and area, and calculation of the area of rectangles. There are pages for both teachers and students. ...

Interactive

Kitchen gardens – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on kitchen gardens using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and ...

Interactive

Invictus Games Sydney 2018 – Stage 3 – Adaptivity and Invictus

This Stage 3 unit explores the idea of ‘adaptivity’ and identity across a number of KLAs. Students will answer the question ‘What is adaptivity?’ and will develop an understanding of how adaptivity serves inclusivity, especially in relation to adaptive sport. Students will explore the history and future of prosthetics. ...

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Ice cream puddles

Use this diagnostic task to assess understanding of area and comparing the area of two shapes using a relevant approach.

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Hologram poetry lesson

In this lesson, students are asked to present a poem as a visual illusion. They explore holograms and visual illusions, and then delve into the mechanics of poetry construction by exploring the poetry of Banjo Paterson. They write their own poem or recite a poem and create a hologram illusion of themselves reciting a poem. ...

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Graphing

Graphs can be used to illustrate the relationship between two variables. Watch this fun animation from NASA to learn the basics of graphing.

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Giant hole: climb through a hole in a sheet of paper

This teaching resource outlines an activity for students to explore the relationship between the area and perimeter of a shape, by using a series of cuts in a piece of paper to create a hole large enough to step through. The resource includes detailed instructions for creating the cuts in the paper, an explanation of how ...

Downloadable

Geometry: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of geometric reasoning. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in geometry including teaching and cultural implications.

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Fun with fractals

Do you know how to recognise a fractal? Watch this video to find out! What are the examples given of fractals found in nature? Can you think of any others? Why not have a go at doing your own drawing of the Sierpinski Triangle?

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For the Juniors: Drawing a floor plan

How do we know what a house will look like before it is built? Discover how house plans work by looking at the design of a house that Hugo's family is going to build. See how a floor plan shows the room layout. See drawings of what the house will look like from different views.

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First steps in mathematics: Space

This guide supports teachers to develop students’ geometric understandings.

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First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 2

A guide to teaching about measurement including indirect measuring, and estimating.

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 1

The content of this book is organised into topics including understanding units, and direct measuring.

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First steps in Mathematics: Space – Diagnostic tasks

A collection of diagnostic tasks designed to use with students to assess their understanding of space-related concepts in mathematics.

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Finding Farms

This is a teacher resource containing a series of inquiry teaching sequences about life on farms in Australia. It contains material to assist the planning, implementing and assessing a study of five primary industry sectors involved in food and fibre production. The tasks in this resource are based around illustrated maps ...

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Exploring mysterious shapes

Join QuanQuan and Jenny as they explore some weird and wonderful shapes! While watching this clip, think about the sides, edges, surfaces and volumes of the shapes that are demonstrated. How are these shapes different from regular 2D and 3D forms?

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Enlargement transformations

This is a website designed for teachers and students in year 5, and addresses components of the enlargement transformations topic in geometry. It is particularly relevant for the concept of enlarging two-dimensional shapes and also contains material on enlarging drawings using grid paper. There are pages for both teachers ...

Downloadable

Drone safety lesson: How close, how far?

This lesson provides an authentic context to develop skills of estimation and measuring length. It provides an opportunity for students to connect decimal representations to the metric system and convert from centimetres to metres, and metres to kilometres. It also provides a context to investigate and become familiar with ...

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Draw an egg

This teaching resource outlines an activity for students to draw an egg shape by hand, using a method that combines three ellipses. The resource outlines the materials required, provides instructions for drawing the curve, describes how the shape is composed of ellipses, and introduces some places where the egg shape is ...

Interactive

Cassowary ecology quiz

Explore facts about the life of cassowaries: physical characteristics; diet; habitat; life cycles; and locations. Interact with graphs to see how much people can help cassowaries. Work through ecology notes and resources. Answer questions as you go; express your answers as fractions. This learning object is one in a series ...

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Cartesian planes

This resource is designed to support student learning in Stage 3 Mathematics. It provides an interactive introduction to the Cartesian plane, its components and the use of Cartesian coordinates.

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Axial Symmetry

An interactive applet in which students explore the effect of reflection in a variety of axes.

Interactive

Area of a triangle

This is a Geogebra activity used to teach the area of a triangle. Suitable for use with an interactive whiteboard (IWB).

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Area of a square and a triangle

Do you know the formula for working out the area of a square? How about a triangle? Watch this short maths video to learn the formulas for both.

Interactive

Area of a parallelogram

This is a Geogebra activity used to teach the area of a parallelogram. Suitable for use with an interactive whiteboard (IWB).

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Area and perimeter: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Area and perimeter. Students estimate and measure perimeter in metric units for length and area of quadrilaterals using grid squares and square centimetres. They solve practical problems involving the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes.

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Area and perimeter video

Use this video to connect area and perimeter to real world applications to set the context for why we are learning about area and perimeter.

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Angles and parallel lines: Year 5 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 5 is for the topic of Angles and parallel lines. Students when working with angles, describe the amount of turn or rotation and develop their estimation and measurement skills.

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Angles - measurement, construction, estimation

This is a website designed for teachers and students in year 5, and addresses the topic of angles. It contains material on the vocabulary used when dealing with angles, and introduces the measurement and construction of angles using a protractor. There are pages for both teachers and students. The student pages contain ...

Interactive

Angle estimator

This is an interactive resource containing two activities about estimating and measuring angles. In the angle estimation activity, users can select acute, obtuse or reflex angles, or any angle between zero and 360 degrees. In the angle drag activity, one arm of the angle can be dragged to rotate around the vertex, creating ...

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AERO Ochre Maths Year 5 Unit 3 - 2D perimeter and area

This sequence of five lessons teaches students about perimeter and area of shapes, as well as how to calculate them.

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ABC News: Mapping the sea floor

Hydrographers chart the seabed and coastline, giving ships a map to help them avoid running into underwater trouble. Use this clip as a context for exploring the mapping of the sea floor. Think about scale and how to indicate different depths using contour lines.