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Space and Geometry for Primary

Space and geometry

link to activity about identifying shapes in the world

Find the terms ‘three-dimensional’ and ‘two-dimensional’, and develop the concepts of position and location using a maths dictionary.

See shapes in design and nature. Another way to run this activity is with physical objects - ask students to all bring in an object that has interesting shapes, and then each student can try to identify shapes through touch.

2D space

Match the puzzle pieces to the shapes. Play shape-matching game. Recognise, visualise and draw shapes and describe their features.

See tangrams and create pictures with them. Experiment and create with the shape tool. Learn how to create various 2D shapes by folding A4 paper. Make patterns with shapes.

Protractor linked to Geogebra interactive

Watch a short video about angle types, and practice identifying types of angle. Now test your knowledge of angles.

Learn to use a protractor and get more practice measuring angles with a protractor. Play a game to practice using a protractor. Match geometric items and words to reveal a hidden picture.

Sort shapes according to different rules, or test to discover the rule.

3D space

decorative image

See 3D shapes around the world.

Learn some definitions of 3d shapes.

Use Geogebra to explore the nets of 3D objects.

Learn about 3D shapes: highlight the faces, edges and vertices of prisms and pyramids (optimised for touch interface).

Explore polyhedra.

Position

Street scene, link to Scootle grid coordinate activity

Students develop their knowledge of position through language, using grids and compass directions.

Try reading grid coordinates, direct a turtle to a pond or use compass directions to navigate.

Practise coordinates: find a house, stock shelves, find coordinates in 1, 2 or 4 quadrants.

Play hit the coordinate or hunt buried treasure using latitude and longitude for a challenge.

Parents and teachers

Geogebra has lots of interactive resources that allow students to explore geometric concepts.

Australian Curriculum lessons has a 2-week program for teaching 2D/3D shapes.

Find syllabus links, curriculum resources, some teaching strategies, various videos and interactives from ABC Education and a glossary supporting the NSW Mathematics syllabus.

Opportunities for children to handle and explore (.pdf 224kB) real 3D objects and 2D shapes are essential as they use everyday language, then precise mathematical terms to describe them.

At Studyladder register free and search 2D Shapes, 3D Shapes and Position. Choose practice activities by Year and topic: Geometry or Spatial sense. Match geometric items and words to reveal a hidden picture.

Demonstrate 2D shapes at with a Geoboard. Demonstrate tessellation. Use scale in maps matter.

Geogebra is a useful tool for creating simple interactive sheets and producing dynamic geometry demonstrations.

At Studyladder register free and search 2D Shapes, 3D Shapes and Position. Choose BBC learning clips: select Maths and a topic.

Make sure students have plenty of opportunities to work with physical objects.

See also Sites2See Primary pages for Measurement, Number and Patterns and Algebra.