Properties of shapes KS1

problem

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Cubes cut into four pieces

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Eight children each had a cube made from modelling clay. They cut them into four pieces which were all exactly the same shape and size. Whose pieces are the same? Can you decide who made each set?

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Exploded squares

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

This practical activity challenges you to create symmetrical designs by cutting a square into strips.

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Inside triangles

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?

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Shapes in the bag

Age

3 to 5

In this task, children put their hands into a bag and describe what shape they think they can feel and why.

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Building towers

Age

3 to 5

In this task, children will explore 3D shapes when selecting which shapes to use in their tower.

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Making footprints

Age

3 to 5

In this activity, children will develop an awareness of the faces of 3D shapes by using them to make 'footprints' in soft dough.

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Making a picture

Age

3 to 5

This task provides an opportunity for children to work together to make a picture, discussing with each other which position they want to put each shape in.

problem

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Data shapes

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Sara and Will were sorting some pictures of shapes on cards. "I'll collect the circles," said Sara. "I'll take the red ones," answered Will. Can you see any cards they would both want?

problem

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Three squares

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

What is the greatest number of squares you can make by overlapping three squares?

problem

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Overlaps

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

What does the overlap of these two shapes look like? Try picturing it in your head and then use some cut-out shapes to test your prediction.

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Jig shapes

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?

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What's happening?

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Shapes are added to other shapes. Can you see what is happening? What is the rule?

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Let's investigate triangles

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Vincent and Tara are making triangles with the class construction set. They have a pile of strips of different lengths. How many different triangles can they make?

problem

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Colouring triangles

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Explore ways of colouring this set of triangles. Can you make symmetrical patterns?

problem

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Chain of changes

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Arrange the shapes in a line so that you change either colour or shape in the next piece along. Can you find several ways to start with a blue triangle and end with a red circle?

problem

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Complete the square

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Complete the squares - but be warned some are trickier than they look!

problem

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Shapely lines

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

This challenge invites you to create your own picture using just straight lines. Can you identify shapes with the same number of sides and decorate them in the same way?

problem

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Paper patchwork 1

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Can you work out what shape is made when this piece of paper is folded up using the crease pattern shown?

problem

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Paper patchwork 2

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Have a go at making a few of these shapes from paper in different sizes. What patterns can you create?

problem

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Triangle or no triangle?

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Here is a selection of different shapes. Can you work out which ones are triangles, and why?

problem

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Building with solid shapes

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

We have a box of cubes, triangular prisms, cones, cuboids, cylinders and tetrahedrons. Which of the buildings would fall down if we tried to make them?