Max Maths, Year 6, Try it, Rotations

In the Max Maths Year 6 curriculum, students are introduced to the concept of rotations, specifically focusing on rotating shapes on a coordinate grid. The lesson begins with a practical exercise where students are asked to make a copy of a given coordinate grid along with a right-angled triangle placed on it. The first task requires students to rotate the triangle 90 degrees clockwise around the vertex that forms the right angle. They are then prompted to identify and record the new coordinates of the triangle's vertices after this rotation. This exercise helps students visualise the movement of shapes and understand the effect of rotation on the position of a shape on a grid.

The lesson continues with a further challenge where students must rotate the same triangle another 90 degrees clockwise about the right-angled vertex, and again note the coordinates of the resulting triangle's vertices. This reinforces their understanding of rotational symmetry and the changes in coordinates that occur during rotation. Additionally, students are given an example of rotating a rectangle 90 degrees around its top right-hand vertex, using a pin to physically move the shape on the grid. This tactile approach aids in grasping the concept of rotation in a two-dimensional plane. The accompanying workbook pages provide additional exercises and visual aids to support the learning process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of rotations in a coordinate system.