Geometry Shape - Recognise and name 2D shapes 4 - Starter activity

In a vibrant and hands-on starter activity designed for Year 1 pupils, the focus is on recognising and naming common two-dimensional shapes as stated in the National Curriculum objective. The required equipment for this engaging session includes an assortment of coloured lolly sticks and a pen. The simplicity of the materials belies the rich learning experience it offers, as children collaborate in pairs, threes, or as a table group to construct various 2D shapes using the lolly sticks provided.

The activity begins by presenting the children with a challenge: they must empty a bag filled with colour-coded sticks, each labelled with the name of a 2D shape and, to aid differentiation, the number of sides it has. Some sets may not include the number of sides to increase the difficulty level. The children's task is to assemble all of the shapes indicated on the sticks, fostering discussion and problem-solving when they encounter a stick surplus or deficit for a particular shape. Questions such as "How many sticks do we need for this shape to be completed?" or "What if I wanted a different shape? How many sticks would I need then?" prompt critical thinking and understanding of shape properties. To further enrich the learning experience, children are encouraged to create their own sets of labelled sticks, which they can then use to reconstruct the shapes, enhancing both their creativity and geometric knowledge.