Primary 2 · Mathematics · Space
Shapes and position
Describing and drawing two-dimensional shapes by their sides and corners, and giving and following directions to move between places on a simple map.
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These lessons were written around Australian Curriculum strands and matched to Singapore levels by age (Primary 1 is the first year of primary school). They are not aligned to MOE syllabuses or the PSLE, so check them against the syllabus your child is working towards.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Name, describe and draw two-dimensional shapes using their sides and corners.
- Recognise shapes when they are turned or are different sizes.
- Give and follow directions to move between places on a simple map.
Success looks like
- I can draw a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon and hexagon and say how many sides and corners each has.
- I can name a shape even when it is turned around.
- I can use words like left, right, forwards and turn to give directions on a map.
The big idea
Two-dimensional (2D) shapes are flat shapes we can draw. We describe them by counting their sides and corners. A triangle has 3 of each, a square and a rectangle have 4, a pentagon has 5 and a hexagon has 6.
Shapes keep their names when they are turned, stretched or made bigger. A triangle standing on its point is still a triangle. A long thin rectangle is still a rectangle. Ask your child to check by counting sides, not by how it 'looks'.
Drawing shapes helps children notice their features. Use a ruler for straight sides and count as you draw: 'one side, two sides, three sides — and it closes up, so it is a triangle.' Shapes must be closed, with no gaps.
Next, move to position. A map shows a place from above, like a bird would see it. Draw a simple map of a room or garden together, with the couch, door, table and other features.
Put a toy on the map and give directions: 'Go forwards to the table. Turn left. Go forwards to the door.' Then let your child give directions for you to follow. Left and right can be tricky — a small sticker on the right hand can help.
Remember that left and right depend on which way the toy is facing. If the toy turns around, its left and right swap. Walking the route in real life first helps make sense of the map.
- Triangle 3, square and rectangle 4, pentagon 5, hexagon 6 sides.
- A shape keeps its name when it is turned.
- Directions: forwards, backwards, turn left, turn right.
Worked examples
Naming a shape
A shape has 6 straight sides and 6 corners. What is it?
- Count the sides: 6.
- A shape with 6 sides is a hexagon.
- It does not matter which way it is turned.
Answer: It is a hexagon.
Is it a shape?
Three straight lines are drawn, but there is a gap at one corner. Is it a triangle?
- A triangle must be closed, with all sides joined.
- This drawing has a gap, so it is not closed.
Answer: No. It is not a triangle until the gap is closed.
Following directions on a map
On a map, the toy starts at the door facing the table. Directions: go forwards to the table, turn right, go forwards to the bookshelf. Where does the toy end up?
- Move the toy forwards from the door to the table.
- Turn the toy to its right.
- Move forwards until it reaches the next feature: the bookshelf.
Answer: The toy ends up at the bookshelf.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
How many sides does a pentagon have?
5 — A pentagon has 5 straight sides and 5 corners.
A shape has 4 sides and 4 corners. Two sides are long and two are short. What is it?
rectangle — A rectangle has 4 sides, with two long sides and two short sides opposite each other.
A triangle is turned so it stands on one corner. What shape is it now?
still a triangle — Turning a shape does not change it. It still has 3 sides and 3 corners.
How many corners does a hexagon have?
6 — A hexagon has 6 sides and 6 corners.
What does a map show?
A place seen from above — A map is a drawing of a place as if you were looking down from above.
Which direction word tells you to keep going the way you are facing?
forwards — Forwards means moving the way you are facing.
A square and a triangle are put together to draw a house. Altogether, how many sides do the square and the triangle have?
7 — A square has 4 sides and a triangle has 3 sides. 4 + 3 = 7.
A toy faces the door. It turns right, then turns right again. Which way is it facing now?
away from the door — Two right turns make a half turn, so the toy now faces the opposite way, away from the door.
Watch out for
- Thinking a shape changes when it is turned (a square on its corner becomes a 'diamond'). Turn shapes and recount the sides to show the name stays the same.
- Counting a corner or side twice. Mark a starting point with a dot and stop when you get back to it.
- Mixing up left and right, especially when facing a different way. Walk the route in real life, turning your own body, before using the map.
Tips for parents
- Look for shapes on walks: road signs, tiles, windows and honeycomb patterns are great for spotting hexagons and other shapes.
- Let your child draw the map — it does not need to be perfect, just clear enough to follow.
- Use left and right in daily life: 'Turn right at the letterbox', 'Put the spoon on the left of the plate.'
Go further
- Make shapes from pop sticks and count how many sticks each one needs.
- Hide a treasure in the house or garden, draw a map and give directions for someone else to find it.
- Draw a picture made only from triangles, rectangles, pentagons and hexagons and count how many of each you used.
About 35 minutes
You'll need
- Paper, pencils and a ruler
- Pop sticks, straws or uncooked spaghetti for making shapes
- Large paper for drawing a simple map of a room, garden or park
- A small toy to move around the map
Key words
- side
- A straight line that makes part of the outline of a shape.
- corner
- A point where two sides meet.
- pentagon
- A flat shape with 5 straight sides and 5 corners.
- hexagon
- A flat shape with 6 straight sides and 6 corners.
- map
- A drawing of a place seen from above.
- direction
- The way to go, such as left, right, forwards or backwards.
Still tricky?
For parents
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