Properties of Shape - Triangles - Planning

In a Year 4 lesson focusing on the properties of shapes, specifically triangles, students embark on a journey to understand and classify different types of triangles. The lesson aims to familiarise children with the terms 'isosceles', 'scalene', and 'equilateral', as well as other key vocabulary such as 'sides', 'angles', and 'polygon'. To set the stage, the session starts with a recap of what a polygon is, followed by a sorting activity where students differentiate between polygons and non-polygons. This practical approach serves as a pre-assessment and helps to solidify the foundational concept of polygons. The class then moves on to partner discussions and activities designed to identify the properties of the three main types of triangles, with a catchy triangle song to aid in memorisation. Students are encouraged to measure the sides of triangles to aid in their classification, applying their newfound knowledge to complete differentiated worksheet activities.

The lesson progresses with the children comparing different triangles, discussing their similarities and differences, and drawing examples of each type. They are guided through this with prompts from a presentation and may require support in recalling the specific properties of each triangle. To conclude the lesson, the plenary involves reflection on what has been learned and the skills used, such as recognising properties of triangles. The students are also prompted to think about any difficulties they encountered and the resources or support that helped them overcome these challenges. Differentiated worksheets cater to varying levels of understanding, from identifying and drawing basic triangle types to more complex tasks like dividing shapes into equilateral triangles. The lesson aims to correct common misconceptions, such as misclassifying triangles based on orientation, and ensures that students leave with a clear understanding of the characteristics that define equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles.