Exploring New Shapes

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📚 Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) – Mathematics
Year Level: Year 1
Strand: Space
Sub-strand: 2D Shapes
Content Descriptor (AC9M1SP01):
Recognise and classify familiar 2D shapes using obvious features such as the number of sides and vertices.

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🎯 WALT (We Are Learning To)

We are learning to identify and describe hexagons and octagons by their number of sides and vertices, and to create these shapes using hands-on paper folding techniques.

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✅ Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify hexagons and octagons in the environment and in classroom resources
• Describe the number of sides and vertices these shapes have
• Construct a hexagon and an octagon using folding and tracing techniques
• Complete a worksheet identifying key features of 2D shapes

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🕒 Lesson Duration

45 minutes
Class size: 21 students

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🔧 Required Resources

• Coloured A4 paper (pre-cut into circles and squares)
• Rulers, pencils, erasers
• Crayons or coloured pencils
• Pre-drawn hexagon and octagon shape templates
• “Shape Detective” worksheet (with a focus on hexagons and octagons)
• Whiteboard and whiteboard markers
• Name tags/sticky notes
• Mini shape posters for group tables
• Classroom projector or large print images

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🧠 Lesson Sequence

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Shape Snap Game

Objective: Activate prior knowledge of shapes: square, triangle, rectangle, and circle.

Instructions:

• Flash shape cards on the board quickly while students call out names.
• Select a few students to lead the game with their own pre-chosen 'snap' shape.
• Final card = surprise: display hexagon and octagon to segue into the new learning.

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2. Explicit Teaching (10 minutes): Let's Meet Hexagon & Octagon

Teacher Talk:

• "We’ve been fantastic detectives finding shapes in our world. Today we are meeting two 'new shape friends'—Hexagon and Octagon."

Show and Describe:

• Display large printouts or use the projector to show a hexagon and octagon.
• Count sides and vertices together as a class.
• Link to real-world items:
  • Hexagon = beehive cells, nuts on bolts
  • Octagon = stop signs, spider webs

Language Focus:

• Emphasise mathematical vocabulary: sides, vertices, equal, straight lines

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3. Group Shape Creation Activity (15 minutes)

"Folding Fun: Build a Hexagon and Octagon!"

Setup:

• Students break into 7 groups of 3 students.
• Each group receives:
  • 2 coloured paper circles
  • 2 square pieces of paper
  • Drawing materials
  • Shape template cards for assistance

Instructions:

• Using folding instructions guided by the teacher (modelling under the projector), students fold to create a hexagon by overlapping triangles, and an octagon by folding and trimming.
• Once folded, trace around edges to create a clean shape
• Label sides and vertices with coloured pencils
• Bonus: Can you decorate your shape to look like an object in the real world?

Teacher Role:

• Circulate, assist folding and counting, question students:
  • "How many sides did you count?"
  • "What’s special about this shape?"

Differentiation:

• Extension: Students create symmetrical patterns within their hexagon/octagon using split lines.
• Support: Provide shape templates to trace for students needing extra help with folding.

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4. Independent Practice (10 minutes): Shape Detective Worksheet

“Can you crack the shape code?”

Worksheet Tasks:

• Colour the shape with 6 sides
• Circle the shapes with 8 vertices
• Match real-world objects to the correct shape
• Draw your own hexagon and octagon in the provided boxes

Students work independently at desks. Teacher supports where needed.

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5. Reflection & Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Class Reflection:

• Gather in a circle. Ask students:
  • “What was the most fun part of making shapes today?”
  • “Who remembers how many sides a hexagon has?"

Exit Ticket:
On a sticky note, students draw either a hexagon or an octagon and write how many sides it has. Place it on the “Shape Wall of Fame” as they leave the mat.

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🧩 Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during group activity (use mini checklist: 'Recognises hexagon/octagon, Correct side and vertex count, Participates confidently')
• Exit ticket: quick formative check
• Worksheet: check for correct identification and understanding of sides/vertices

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🧠 Teacher Tips

• Emphasise shape language throughout the day, even outside maths (e.g., visual arts)
• Reinforce by searching for hexagons and octagons during outdoor time – e.g., playground equipment or garden tiles
• Keep student-created shapes and mount them for a '2D Shape Gallery'

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🔁 Next Lesson Preview

Lesson 5: Introduction to 3D Shapes – Cubes and Spheres
Students will transition into exploring 3D objects, beginning with the cube and sphere, linking them to objects in the real world.

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Let’s keep making learning hands-on, playful, and meaningful! 🟡🟪🔷🛑