Mathematics / Year 2 / Measurement and Geometry / Shape

Curriculum content descriptions

Describe and draw two-dimensional shapes, with and without digital technologies (ACMMG042)

Elaborations
  • identifying key features of squares, rectangles, triangles, kites, rhombuses and circles, such as straight lines or curved lines, and counting the edges and corners
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Shapes (Geometry)

Video

2D and 3D shapes

Watch this video to learn about the features of 2D shapes. How is it different from the features of 3D shapes (solids)? Some examples of solids that incorporate 2D shapes are mentioned in this video by Sanchit - for example, a cube has six square faces. What other 3D shapes could you make that has at least one square face?

Interactive

Shape sorter: polygons

Help sort shapes, in the shape factory. Examine examples of shapes and determine if they belong in the Yes polygon set. Examine examples of shapes that do not belong in the set. Work out what features of the polygon are important and test your ideas by sorting some shapes. Then program the robot and see if it sorts the ...

Interactive

Cassowary sanctuary

Help a park ranger to arrange fencing in a wildlife sanctuary. Divide common geometric shapes into equal-sized sections for keeping cassowaries. Group the enclosures to form a quarantine zone for sick and injured birds. Then express divisions of the enclosures as fractions. Work through facts about the life of cassowaries: ...

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.

Online

reSolve: Reasoning With 2D Shapes

This sequence of three lessons explores shape properties and skills in manipulating shapes using transformations. Students create two-dimensional shapes by joining pins on a circular geoboard, explore the different shapes that can be made by joining together a set number of identical equilateral triangles and investigate ...

Online

Shapes and objects: Year 2 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 2 is for the topic of Shapes and objects. Students develop their reasoning when comparing and classifying shapes by their attributes. They develop the spatial language to describe shapes.

Downloadable

Tracking triangles

Students identify a variety of three-sided shapes and describe the features of all triangles.

Downloadable

Shape search

Students identify a variety of four-sided shapes and describe the features of squares, rectangles, rhombuses and kites.

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.

Text

Pattern Blocks - Calculate

This activity uses pattern blocks to explore patterns and the relationship between numbers. Students use the blocks to create and describe other shapes and since the blocks are relational they can be used for other investigations. For example, turn the blocks into units – if the triangle is one what is the value of the hexagon?

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Space

This guide supports teachers to develop students’ geometric understandings.

Downloadable

Categorisation

Use this task to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of properties of shapes, and language they use when describing common features.

Text

Guess My Shape or Object - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to encourage and support students to describe two dimensional shapes and three dimensional objects according to their features or properties.

Text

Stand up, sit down - Calculate

This game focuses on listening and matching shape properties to the correct shape, and using mathematical vocabulary to describe shapes.

Text

Introduction to Shapes Year 2 - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover the language that students are using to describe the features of shapes. Although students may know the names of many shapes, and may know the difference between a square and a circle, the description of why these shapes are different may not be mathematically accurate. Listen to ...

Video

Count Us In, Ep 14: How big is the magic bus?

How do we measure how big something is? Flynn and Dodley want to see who has the bigger toy bus. Which bus is taller, wider, longer? Flynn models how to measure his bus using sticks so he can make a garage for his 'magic' bus. The Flying girl and others also do some measuring.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 10: Treasure hunt

Can you read a map and follow directions? Well if you can chances are you can help us find the buried treasure. You'll need to know right from left, east from west, clockwise from anti-clockwise and over from under. Got all that? See you at Buccaneer's Refuge 'me hearties, arrgh'. Remember X marks the spot!

Interactive

Rotations of two-dimensional objects

This is a four-page HTML resource about solving problems concerning quarter turns of two-dimensional objects. It contains four questions, one of which is interactive, and one video. The resource discusses and explains quarter turns to reinforce students' understanding.

Online

reSolve: Algebra - Equivalence

This sequence of two lessons builds students' understanding of equivalence as balance. The equals sign is used to indicate the same value on both sides of an equation. Students develop their understanding of equivalence by looking at balancing scales with blocks of different weights. Each lesson is outlined in detail including ...

Interactive

The array: go figure

This tutorial is suitable for use with a screen reader. It explains strategies for solving simple multiplications in your head such as 6x4. Work through sample questions and instructions explaining how to break up numbers into their factors. Solve multiplications by using arrays to break them up into rows and columns, then ...