AC9M1SP01_E1
Classify circles, ovals, regular and irregular shapes, triangles and quadrilaterals, and explain what is the same within groups and different between groups.
About This Year 1 Maths Topic
Shape learning helps students describe, compare and classify the forms they see in everyday objects and the environment.
In this unit, students explore circles, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals, regular shapes and irregular shapes, and discuss what is the same and different about each group.
They identify shapes by sight and touch, build different objects using the same number of blocks and compare how their constructions differ.
Students also explore string shapes and storytelling contexts, making connections between shapes, objects and Country/Place.
These activities support the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 content descriptor AC9M1SP01 and its associated elaborations.
Australian Curriculum Alignment
AC9M1SP01
Make, compare and classify familiar shapes; recognise familiar shapes and objects in the environment, identifying the similarities and differences between them.
AC9M1SP01_E2
Select a shape from a bag and describe it by feel so others can name the shape and justify their choice.
AC9M1SP01_E3
Compare different objects built using the same number of blocks or centi-cubes and discuss the differences between the constructions.
AC9M1SP01_E4
Explore First Nations Australian string games used in storytelling, including Karda from the Yandruwandha Peoples, and compare, describe and classify the shapes created and their relationships to Country/Place.
Learning Intentions
Students will learn to:
- recognise familiar shapes in different orientations;
- name and describe circles, ovals, triangles and quadrilaterals;
- compare regular and irregular shapes;
- classify shapes using visible properties;
- explain similarities and differences between shape groups;
- identify a shape using touch and descriptive clues;
- make shapes and objects using blocks or centi-cubes;
- compare constructions made from the same number of blocks;
- recognise shapes in the environment;
- communicate spatial reasoning using appropriate vocabulary.
Student Success Criteria
I can name familiar shapes.
I can sort shapes into groups.
I can describe what shapes have in common.
I can explain how shape groups are different.
I can identify a shape by touch.
I can use shape clues.
I can build an object using blocks.
I can compare two block constructions.
I can find shapes in my environment.
I can explain my reasoning.
Key Vocabulary
shape
object
compare
classify
sort
circle
oval
triangle
quadrilateral
regular
irregular
side
corner
curved
straight
same
different
construction
Teacher Guide
Recommended Materials
- 2D shape cards and cut-outs;
- circles, ovals, triangles and quadrilaterals;
- regular and irregular shape examples;
- fabric bags for mystery shape activities;
- foam, wooden or plastic shapes;
- blocks and centi-cubes;
- construction mats;
- photographs of shapes in the environment;
- string or yarn for shape making;
- sorting hoops and labels;
- mini whiteboards and markers;
- authoritative First Nations storytelling resources.
Suggested Teaching Sequence
- Review familiar shape names.
- Describe shapes using sides, corners and curved edges.
- Sort shapes by one visible property.
- Compare regular and irregular shapes.
- Discuss similarities within and differences between groups.
- Identify hidden shapes through touch.
- Build objects using a fixed number of blocks.
- Compare constructions made from equal numbers of blocks.
- Find and photograph shapes in the environment.
- Explore string shapes through respectful storytelling contexts.
Teacher Questions
- What shape do you see?
- How many sides does it have?
- How many corners does it have?
- Are the sides straight or curved?
- What is the same about these shapes?
- What is different between these groups?
- How can you describe the shape without naming it?
- What clues helped you identify the hidden shape?
- How are these block constructions alike?
- How are they different?
- Where can you find this shape in the environment?
- Why did you classify the shape in that group?
Common Misconceptions
Believing a shape changes when it is rotated
Show the same shape in several orientations and discuss which properties remain unchanged.
Classifying shapes only by colour or size
Encourage students to use mathematical properties such as sides, corners, straight edges and curved edges.
Thinking all quadrilaterals look like squares
Provide a wide variety of four-sided shapes, including rectangles, rhombuses, trapeziums and irregular examples.
Confusing objects with shapes
Explain that a shape describes a form, while an object is a real item that may contain one or more familiar shapes.
Believing equal block counts make identical constructions
Build several different arrangements with the same number of blocks and compare their height, width and structure.
Year 1 Shapes and Objects Activities
Activity 1: Shape Sorting Hoops
Give students a mixed collection of circles, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals and irregular shapes.
Students sort the collection and explain the rule used for each group.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E1
Activity 2: Same and Different
Compare two shape groups and record what is the same within each group and what is different between the groups.
Encourage more than one valid classification rule.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E1
Activity 3: Regular or Irregular?
Present familiar and unfamiliar shapes and discuss whether their sides and angles appear equal or unequal.
Students sort the shapes into regular and irregular groups.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E1
Activity 4: Mystery Shape Bag
Place shapes inside a fabric bag. One student feels a shape without looking and describes its sides, corners and curves.
Classmates name the shape and explain which clues helped.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E2
Activity 5: Shape Clue Challenge
Students write or say clues for a selected shape without using its name.
Partners identify the shape and justify their answer.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E2
Activity 6: Build with Six Blocks
Every student receives the same number of blocks and creates an object or structure.
Compare how the constructions differ even though the number of blocks is the same.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E3
Activity 7: Construction Gallery Walk
Display student constructions and ask classmates to compare height, width, arrangement and shape.
Students describe one similarity and one difference.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E3
Activity 8: Shape Hunt
Search the classroom or school for objects containing circles, ovals, triangles or quadrilaterals.
Record or photograph examples and explain the connection.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01
Activity 9: String Shape Investigation
Use string to make familiar and irregular shapes, then compare, describe and classify each result.
Focus on respectful, age-appropriate connections to storytelling and Country/Place.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E4
Activity 10: Karda and String Story Contexts
Explore authoritative resources relating to Karda from the Yandruwandha Peoples of north-east South Australia.
Discuss shapes represented in the string design and their relationship to objects and Country/Place.
Curriculum connection: AC9M1SP01_E4
Differentiation
Support
- begin with circles, triangles, squares and rectangles;
- use large tactile shape pieces;
- provide picture-word vocabulary cards;
- sort by one property at a time;
- use sentence starters for comparisons;
- provide fewer shapes in the mystery bag;
- use modelled block constructions;
- allow oral responses and partner discussion;
- accept drawings or photographs as evidence.
Extension
- classify the same shapes in several ways;
- include unfamiliar quadrilaterals and irregular shapes;
- create shape riddles for classmates;
- compare several block constructions in detail;
- design an object using a fixed number of blocks;
- find shapes embedded within complex objects;
- create and explain a new classification rule;
- record similarities and differences in a table;
- justify why a shape belongs to more than one possible group.
Mathematical Sentence Starters
This shape is a _____.
It has _____ sides.
It has _____ corners.
The edges are _____.
These shapes are the same because _____.
These groups are different because _____.
I classified this shape as _____ because _____.
I think the hidden shape is _____.
My clue is _____.
Both constructions use _____ blocks.
This construction is different because _____.
I found this shape in _____.
I know because _____.
Assessment Ideas
Observe whether the student can:
- recognise and name familiar shapes;
- describe shape properties;
- classify a mixed shape collection;
- identify similarities and differences;
- distinguish regular and irregular shapes;
- identify a shape using touch;
- provide useful shape clues;
- build and compare block constructions;
- recognise shapes in the environment;
- explain classification reasoning.
Quick Exit Ticket
- Choose one shape.
- Describe its sides, corners and edges.
- Place it in a suitable group.
- Explain why it belongs there.
Printable Teacher and Student Resources
Use the buttons below to open the available AC9M1SP01 teaching materials and printable activities in a new browser tab.
Main Worksheets
Worksheet Cover
2D and 3D Shapes Worksheets
Classifying 2D Shapes
Sorting and Comparing Shapes
Identifying Shapes by Feel
Mystery Shape Bag Activity
Building Shapes with Blocks
Block Construction Activities
First Nations String Shapes
First Nations String Games and Shapes
Resources open in a new tab. Browser PDF settings may affect whether a file opens in the browser or downloads.
Home Learning Ideas
Families can search for familiar shapes in packaging, signs, furniture, toys and household objects.
Use building blocks, shape cut-outs or string to create, compare and classify different shapes and constructions.
Ask questions such as:
- What shape can you see?
- How many sides does it have?
- How many corners does it have?
- What is the same about these shapes?
- What is different?
- Can you describe the shape without naming it?
- Can you build something using six blocks?
- How is your construction different from mine?
- Where can you find this shape at home?
- How would you classify these objects?