Exploring More Shapes

Overview

Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 14 SEND KS2 students
Unit: Exploring Shapes Together (Lesson 2 of 6)
Subject: Maths
Age group: 7-11 years (Key Stage 2)
National Curriculum focus: Geometry – Properties of shapes

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

Identify and name less common 2D shapes: pentagons, hexagons, and octagons.
Describe the properties of these shapes including the number of sides and vertices.
Recognise these shapes in familiar objects and pictures.

National Curriculum Links:

Mathematics Programmes of Study: Key Stage 2
- Recognise, describe and build simple 2-D shapes, including regular polygons (Years 3 and 4).
- Identify properties of polygons including number of sides and vertices (Year 3).
- Develop spatial reasoning skills through recognising shapes in different orientations (Years 3-4).

Resources Needed

Large laminated shape cards: pentagon, hexagon, octagon (with clear labels and bright colours)
Shape sorting trays / magnetic shapes
Digital tablet or interactive whiteboard (IWB) for visual demonstrations
Real-life picture cards (e.g., honeycombs for hexagons, stop signs for octagons, home plate in baseball for pentagons)
A4 card with labelled shape properties (sides, vertices)
Mini whiteboards and pens for students
Multi-sensory materials: pipe cleaners or plastic sticks for shape-making

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Recap (5 minutes)

Recall previous lesson: Quick verbal recap on common 2D shapes (triangle, square, rectangle, circle). Ask students to shout out properties like sides and vertices. Use the interactive whiteboard to display these shapes briefly.
Set context: Explain today’s focus — looking at some “new” shapes with more sides. Show the unit title slide: Exploring More 2D Shapes.

Differentiation Tip: Use a counting rhyme or song for sides and vertices to support memory. e.g. “Five sides on a pentagon, five sides on a pentagon…”

2. Introducing New Shapes (10 minutes)

Show and Tell: Present each new shape one at a time (pentagon, hexagon, octagon) using large laminated cards.
For each shape:
- Ask students to count the sides together aloud, using fingers to touch each side on the card.
- Count the vertices together, reinforcing the connection between sides and corners.
- Highlight the shape’s name and ask students to repeat it.
Use real-life picture cards to make links: “Where have you seen this shape before?” Show pictures like honeycomb (hexagon), stop sign (octagon), or baseball home plate (pentagon).
Use the IWB to show animated shapes rotating to help students understand orientation doesn’t change the shape.

Sensory Support: Pass around plastic sticks or pipe cleaners so students can form each shape physically in small groups or at their desks.

Behaviour Tip: Praise effort loudly and encourage peer support to build confidence.

3. Guided Activity: Properties Matching (10 minutes)

Give groups sets of mixed shape cards and A4 cards with property labels (number of sides and vertices).
Ask students with support to match the properties to the correct shape.
Use mini whiteboards for students to write or draw the number of sides and vertices they identify in each shape.
Circulate to ask probing questions:
- “How many sides does this octagon have?”
- “Can you find the vertices on this pentagon?”

Support: For students with fine motor difficulties, allow verbal responses or pointing instead of writing.

Extension: Challenge more able learners to suggest real objects with these shapes or explain why these shapes might be useful.

4. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

Use a quick quiz game on the IWB or verbally ask:
- “Show me with your fingers how many sides a hexagon has.”
- “Which shape has eight sides?” (Hold up cards to choose).
Give stickers or stamps for participation and correct answers to motivate.
Ask one or two pupils to explain one property they remember about one shape to the class (encourage simple sentences).

Assessment and Feedback

Formative assessment through questioning during activities.
Observe pupils’ participation in the shape-making and matching activity.
Use mini whiteboards to gauge understanding of sides and vertices counting.
Final quiz answers to highlight any misconceptions for next lesson planning.

SEND and Differentiation Strategies

Use multisensory learning (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic).
Small group support for those needing additional help during activities.
Visual aids with clear, bold outlines and large fonts.
Chunk tasks with clear, simple instructions.
Give extra processing time for counting and naming.
Offer alternative communication methods (pointing, gestures) for pupils who struggle with speech or writing.

Reflection Points for Teachers

Which shapes did students find most challenging and why?
Did multi-sensory materials aid understanding?
Was group work effective in engaging all pupils?
Adjust pace or scaffolding as needed for future shape lessons.

This lesson plan ensures alignment with the KS2 National Curriculum for England, supports SEND learners through differentiated tasks, and promotes active engagement with geometric concepts in a highly accessible and memorable way.