Max Maths, Year 4, Practice, Review of 2D and 3D shapes

In an interactive and hands-on activity from Max Maths for Year 4, students are encouraged to explore the world of 2D and 3D shapes in a creative and collaborative way. To begin with, they use a pin board and elastic bands to construct various 2D shapes. This tactile approach allows them to visualise and understand the structure of different shapes in a concrete manner. After constructing the shapes, students are tasked with sketching the shapes they have created and labelling each one with its correct name, reinforcing their recognition and understanding of 2D geometry.

Going a step further, students are prompted to write down three properties for each shape they have sketched, such as the number of sides, angles, or faces, which deepens their comprehension of the shapes' characteristics. The activity then shifts to a group exercise where the teacher provides each group with a 'shapes bag' containing a variety of 2D and 3D shapes. In this guessing game, one student feels a shape inside the bag without removing it, while the others ask yes-or-no questions to deduce the shape's identity. This encourages the use of geometric vocabulary and deductive reasoning. The successful guesser gets the opportunity to pick the next shape, making the learning process both engaging and collaborative.