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Shapes and patterns
Lesson 6 of 11

Flat shapes around us

Objective. Name circles, squares, triangles and rectangles in everyday objects.

The key idea

A shape is named by how many straight sides and corners it has. A circle has none, a triangle has three, a square has four equal sides, a rectangle has four sides with opposite pairs equal.

Worked example

A biscuit has 3 straight sides. What shape is it?

Illustration showing 3 objects to count
  1. 1Count the straight sides: 3.
  2. 2Three straight sides and three corners means a triangle.

Answer: A triangle

Practice

Each question comes with a picture and a listen button. Try it first, then reveal the answer.

Common mistake. Calling every four-sided shape a square. A square needs all four sides the same length.

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