Properties of Shape - Quadrilaterals - Presentation

Exploring the fascinating world of quadrilaterals, a recent lesson delves into the properties and classification of these four-sided shapes. Students are encouraged to recognise and name various quadrilaterals, understanding that the term 'quadrilateral' is derived from 'quad' meaning four and 'lateral' referring to sides. The lesson covers specific types of quadrilaterals such as rectangles, rhombuses, squares, parallelograms, and trapeziums, each with their unique characteristics. For example, a rectangle is defined by having four right angles and equal opposite sides, while a rhombus boasts equal sides, equal opposite angles, and diagonals that intersect at right angles. A square is a special case, being both a rectangle (due to its right angles) and a rhombus (due to all sides being equal).

The lesson continues with activities that help students distinguish between the different quadrilaterals based on their properties. They are tasked with labeling shapes using a word bank, describing them based on criteria such as the number of sides, parallel sides, and angles. Further discussions and reasoning exercises challenge students to consider why a square is a special type of rectangle and why a rhombus is a special type of parallelogram. The interactive element of the lesson is heightened by hands-on activities where students use straws to construct various quadrilaterals and calculate their perimeters, thereby reinforcing their understanding of the shapes' properties through practical application.