Reception Maths – Autumn Block 7: Four Sided Shapes

In Autumn Block 7: Four Sided Shapes, pupils will be introduced to the world of quadrilaterals, focusing on 4-sided shapes such as squares and rectangles. This unit provides an engaging way for pupils to explore the properties of these shapes, recognise them in various contexts, and begin to understand how they can be combined to form new shapes. As always, this unit is aligned with the White Rose progression, ensuring a structured and gradual development of key geometric concepts. Through a series of hands-on activities, practical exploration, and visual learning, pupils will gain confidence in identifying, naming, and working with 4-sided shapes.

Week 12: Exploring Four Sided Shapes

This week, the focus is on introducing pupils to four-sided shapes and encouraging them to recognise and describe these shapes in different contexts. By engaging with squares, rectangles, and other quadrilaterals, pupils will begin to develop their understanding of geometric properties.

– Identify and name 4 sided shapes – Pupils will start by exploring the basic properties of 4-sided shapes, focusing on squares and rectangles. Through activities such as sorting, matching, and shape hunts, pupils will become familiar with these shapes and learn to identify them by their defining features. For example, they will understand that squares have equal sides, while rectangles have opposite sides that are equal. By using real-world examples like windows, doors, and books, pupils will be able to link these shapes to their everyday environment.

– Combine 4 sided shapes – Building on their understanding of squares and rectangles, pupils will explore how these shapes can be combined to create new shapes. For instance, they may combine two squares to form a rectangle or arrange rectangles to make other quadrilaterals. This activity encourages pupils to think creatively and understand that shapes can be manipulated to form new shapes. They will explore these ideas using hands-on materials such as paper shapes, building blocks, and interactive activities, helping to reinforce the concept of geometric composition.

– My day and night – In this activity, pupils will look at how 4-sided shapes can be associated with the time of day. By exploring objects related to “day” and “night,” pupils will match these to shapes that represent these times, such as the sun (a circle) and a window (a rectangle). This creative approach encourages pupils to think about shapes in context and make connections between geometry and their everyday experiences. It also helps to reinforce their understanding of shape properties and positions within a context they are familiar with.

Why This Unit Matters

Understanding shapes and their properties is a key part of early mathematical development. In this unit, pupils explore the concept of 4-sided shapes, a fundamental building block of geometry. By identifying and naming squares, rectangles, and other quadrilaterals, pupils will start to develop an awareness of the world around them from a geometric perspective. These early explorations with shape recognition set the stage for later learning about more complex shapes and properties.

Through creative activities such as combining shapes and relating them to their daily lives, pupils will develop a deeper understanding of how shapes function in the world. This will not only help to strengthen their mathematical skills but also enhance their ability to solve problems and think critically about the spatial relationships between objects.

Aligned with the White Rose progression, this unit ensures that pupils have a structured and logical approach to learning about shapes, building on their previous knowledge of simpler shapes. The hands-on and visual nature of this unit encourages active participation and helps pupils connect abstract concepts to concrete experiences. By the end of this unit, pupils will have a solid understanding of 4-sided shapes and how they can be combined to form new shapes, preparing them for future mathematical concepts.

Through activities that encourage both individual and group work, this unit fosters collaboration and discussion, allowing pupils to share their ideas and problem-solve together. The combination of geometric exploration, creativity, and real-world connections ensures that pupils develop a well-rounded understanding of shapes, setting a strong foundation for their continued mathematical learning.