Year 2 Mathematics · AC9M2SP01

Recognise, compare and classify shapes, referencing the number of sides and using spatial terms such as “opposite”, “parallel”, “curved” and “straight”

Shapes can be classified by observable features such as number of sides, corners, curved edges, straight sides, opposite sides and parallel lines

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Learning goalsSay it simply

Shapes can be classified by observable features such as number of sides, corners, curved edges, straight sides, opposite sides and parallel lines.

Learning sequence: Look → Count sides → Describe features → Classify → Explain

Success looks like

  • Count sides
  • Use curved/straight
  • Use opposite/parallel
  • Classify shapes
  • Explain features
Key conceptTeach from the board

Describe features before naming

triangle: 3 sidesquadrilateral: 4 sidescircle: curvedrectangle: opposite sides

Use features, not just appearance.

Use classification rules

has 4 straight sidesopposite sidesparallel sidesrectangle group

A shape belongs to a group when it matches the rule.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9M2SP01 - Recognise, compare and classify shapes, referencing the number of sides and using spatial terms such as “opposite”, “parallel”, “curved” and “straight”
Example 1

triangle: 3 sides quadrilateral: 4 sides circle: curved rectangle: opposite sides

Example 2

has 4 straight sides opposite sides parallel sides rectangle group

Example 3

3 sides 4 sides curved straight

Example 4

opposite parallel straight

Curriculum examplesCurriculum examples

Curriculum coverage and elaborations

The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning.

  • Content description: recognise, compare and classify shapes, referencing the number of sides and using spatial terms such as “opposite”, “parallel”, “curved” and “straight”
  • E1: sorting a collection of shapes in different ways based on their features such as number of sides, whether all sides are equal, whether pairs of opposite sides are parallel; for example, collections of triangles and other polygons
  • E2: manipulating shapes and recognising that different orientations do not change the shape; for example, cutting out pictures of various shapes, recognising they are they are still classified as the same shape even if they are upside down or on their side
  • E3: investigating the shapes of different sporting fields, describing and labelling their features including side lines, centre circles and goal squares; for example, labelling the lines on a basketball court and using spatial terms to describe them
  • E4: creating regular shapes using digital tools, describing and observing what happens when you manipulate them; for example, dragging or pushing vertices to produce irregular shapes, moving or rotating a shape
Questions and answersWith answers

Key idea: Shapes can be classified by observable features such as number of sides, corners, curved edges, straight sides, opposite sides and parallel lines.

Remember

  • Count sides
  • Use curved/straight
  • Use opposite/parallel
  • Classify shapes
  • Explain features

Quick questions

  • Name a shape with 3 straight sides.
  • What does opposite mean?
  • Can a turned rectangle still be a rectangle? Explain.
  • Sort shapes by curved or straight boundaries.

If an answer is uncertain, return to the model and explain what each part represents before calculating or drawing a conclusion.

Practice and reviewReady for practice
  • Naming by appearance only — Count sides and describe features.
  • Rotated shapes look new — Turning a shape does not change its features.
  • Curved/straight mixed — Trace the boundary to check.

How to use this unit

Read the topic guide and use the teacher slide for instruction. Students can then use the worksheet for written work, open Practice for supported feedback, or take the Test when they are ready.

Curriculum alignmentStart here

Shapes can be classified by observable features such as number of sides, corners, curved edges, straight sides, opposite sides and parallel lines.

Learning sequence: Look → Count sides → Describe features → Classify → Explain

Success looks like

  • Count sides
  • Use curved/straight
  • Use opposite/parallel
  • Classify shapes
  • Explain features
Related resourcesKeep teaching

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