Space and Geometry for Primary

Space and geometry

Find the terms ‘three-dimensional’ and ‘two-dimensional’, and develop the concepts of position and location using a maths dictionary¹.

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.

Match the puzzle pieces² to the shapes. Play shape-matching game³. Recognise, visualise and draw shapes⁴ and describe their features.

See tangrams⁵ and create pictures⁶ with them. Experiment and create with the shape tool⁷. Learn how to create various 2D shapes by folding A4 paper⁸. Make patterns with shapes⁹.

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Watch a short video about angle types¹¹, and practice identifying¹² types of angle. Now test¹³ your knowledge of angles.

Learn to use a protractor¹⁴ and get more practice measuring angles¹⁵ with a protractor¹⁰. Play a game¹⁶ to practice using a protractor. Match geometric items and words to reveal a hidden picture¹⁷.

Explore rotational and reflection symmetry¹⁸.

Oak leaf

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See lines of symmetry¹⁹, try completing symmetrical shapes²⁰ or sort shapes by symmetry²¹.

Sort shapes²² according to different rules, or test to discover the rule.

3D space

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See 3D shapes²³ around the world.

Learn some definitions of 3d shapes²⁴.

Use Geogebra to explore the nets²⁵ of 3D objects.

Learn about 3D shapes²⁶: highlight the faces, edges and vertices of prisms²⁷ and pyramids²⁸ (optimised for touch interface).

Explore polyhedra²⁹.

Position

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

Try reading grid coordinates³⁰, direct a turtle³¹ to a pond or use compass directions³² to navigate.

Practise coordinates: find a house³³, stock shelves³⁴, find coordinates in 1, 2 or 4 quadrants³⁵.

Play hit the coordinate³⁶ or hunt buried treasure using latitude and longitude³⁷ for a challenge.

Parents and teachers

Geogebra has lots of interactive resources³⁸ that allow students to explore geometric concepts.

Australian Curriculum lessons has a 2-week program³⁹ for teaching 2D/3D shapes.

Find syllabus links, curriculum resources⁴⁰, some teaching strategies⁴¹, various videos and interactives⁴² from ABC Education and a glossary⁴³ supporting the NSW Mathematics syllabus.

Parents
Teachers

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 terms⁴⁴ to describe them.

At Studyladder register free⁴⁵ and search 2D Shapes⁴⁶, 3D Shapes⁴⁷ and Position⁴⁸. Choose practice activities⁴⁹ by Year and topic: Geometry or Spatial sense. Match geometric items and words to reveal a hidden picture⁵⁰.

Demonstrate 2D shapes at with a Geoboard⁵¹. Demonstrate tessellation⁵². Use scale in maps matter⁵³.

Geogebra⁵⁴ is a useful tool for creating simple interactive sheets and producing dynamic geometry demonstrations.

At Studyladder register free⁴⁵ and search 2D Shapes⁴⁶, 3D Shapes⁴⁷ and Position⁴⁸. Choose BBC learning clips⁵⁵: select Maths and a topic.

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

See also Sites2See Primary pages for Measurement⁵⁶, Number⁵⁷ and Patterns and Algebra⁵⁸.

Space and Geometry for Primary