Properties of Shape - Quadrilaterals - Planning

During a Year 4 summer term lesson on the Properties of Shape, students delve into the world of quadrilaterals. This lesson is designed to help children identify and name various four-sided shapes, such as squares, rectangles, rhombuses, parallelograms, and trapeziums. They will explore the defining properties of these shapes and engage in activities that encourage them to pinpoint both the similarities and differences among them. The key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms like 'quadrilateral', 'lateral', and the names of specific quadrilaterals. Students are prompted to use their understanding that 'quad' means 'four' and 'lateral' refers to 'sides' to describe these shapes. Resources such as 2-D shapes, geostrips, worksheets, and a presentation are utilised to support the learning process.

The practical aspect of the lesson involves the use of geostrips, allowing children to construct their own four-sided shapes and compare them, enhancing their understanding of the shapes' properties. This hands-on experience is coupled with activities that match shapes to their properties and a 'Guess Who?' game where students use properties to identify quadrilaterals. The lesson also includes drawing tasks where children are encouraged to draw and label various quadrilaterals, with support such as isometric or square dotted paper for those who need it. Differentiated sheets cater to varying levels of understanding, from drawing basic quadrilaterals to more complex tasks involving specific dimensions. Throughout the lesson, key questions are posed to stimulate critical thinking about the characteristics of quadrilaterals and their special relationships, such as why a square is a special type of rectangle or a rhombus is a special type of parallelogram. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, encouraging students to consider what they have learned and the skills they have used or found challenging.