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Reception Maths · ReceptionChapter 7 · Shapes and position
Reception · Chapter 7

Shapes and position

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can name a circle, triangle, square, rectangle and star
  • I can count the sides and corners of a shape
  • I can name a sphere, cube, cuboid, cone, cylinder and pyramid
  • I can find shapes around me and say what they are like
  • I can use words such as above, below, next to and between

You should already know

  • Counting to 10 (Chapter 1)
  • Making and splitting numbers (Chapter 4)

Where this leads

  • Patterns (Chapter 8)
  • Time and money words (Chapter 9)

Early Years Foundation Stage for England, maths. Content: Name and sort 2-D shapes: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, star, Name 3-D shapes: cube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder, pyramid, Find shapes in the environment and talk about them, Use position words: above, below, next to, between, on top of, under, in front of, behind.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

Non-calculator
1
FWhat shape is a wheel?
2
FWhat number comes after 4?
3
FHow many sides does a rectangle have?
4
FWhich is bigger, 5 or 2?
5
FWhat is 3 + 2?
7.1

Naming flat shapes

Reception
Name circles, triangles, squares, rectangles and stars
Video lesson: Naming flat shapesComing soon

Ella is looking for shapes in her classroom. She finds a clock, a table top and a star sticker.

Flat shapes are called 2-D shapes. Some shapes are round, like a circle. Others have straight sides, like a triangle, a square or a rectangle. A star has points.

abcde
Five flat shapes: a, b, c, d and e.

Key ideas

  • A circle is round, with no corners.
  • A triangle has three straight sides.
  • A square has four equal sides.
  • A rectangle has four sides, with two long and two short.
  • A star has points.
Worked example 7.1.1
What shape is this?

Key words. A circle is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It is round with no corners.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is circle.
  3. Write the answer.
    circle

Check. Point to the circle in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.1.2
What shape is this?

Key words. A triangle is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It has three straight sides.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is triangle.
  3. Write the answer.
    triangle

Check. Point to the triangle in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.1.3
What shape is this?

Key words. A rectangle is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It has four sides, two long and two short.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is rectangle.
  3. Write the answer.
    rectangle

Check. Point to the rectangle in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Watch out

Watch out: a square and a rectangle both have four sides. A square has all four sides the same length.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Go on a shape hunt in the house. Ask: “Is it round? Does it have straight sides?” Find a circle, a triangle and a square.

Exercise 7A  Naming flat shapes

Non-calculator
1
FWhat shape is this?
2
FWhat shape is this?
3
FWhat shape is this?
4
FWhat shape is this?
5
FWhat shape is this?
6
FWhich shape is round? Say a, b or c.
abc
7
FWhich shape has three straight sides? Say a, b or c.
abc
8
PSA wheel is which shape?
9
PSAli says a star is a circle. Is he right? Explain.
10
PSWhat shape is a tile on the floor? Choose circle, square or triangle.
11
RExplain how you know a shape is a triangle.
12
RDraw a shape with no corners. What is its name?
7.2

Sides and corners

Reception
Count the sides and corners of 2-D shapes
Video lesson: Sides and cornersComing soon

Sam counts the sides on the sign at the bus stop. It has four sides. Each side is a straight edge.

A side is one straight edge. A corner is where two sides meet. A triangle has three sides and three corners. A square has four sides and four corners.

A square: four sides and four corners.

Key ideas

  • A side is one straight edge.
  • A corner is where two sides meet.
  • Count each side and each corner only once.
Worked example 7.2.1
How many sides does a triangle have?

Key words. A side is one straight edge. A corner is where two sides meet.

Method. Touch each side once, one at a time. The number of sides is how many you touched.

  1. Touch the sides of the triangle. Touch each straight side once.
    1, 2, 3
  2. Count the sides. The last number is how many sides there are.
    3 sides
  3. Write the answer.
    3

Check. Count again from the other side. You get 3 again. ✓

Watch out. Touch each side once. Do not count a corner as a side.

Worked example 7.2.2
How many corners does a square have?

Method. Touch each corner once. A corner is a point where two sides meet.

  1. Touch the corners of the square. Touch each corner once.
    1, 2, 3, 4
  2. Count the corners. The last number is how many corners there are.
    4 corners
  3. Write the answer.
    4

Check. Count the corners again: the answer is 4. ✓

Watch out. Do not count the same corner twice.

Worked example 7.2.3
How many sides does a circle have?

Key words. A side is one straight edge. A corner is where two sides meet.

Method. Touch each side once, one at a time. The number of sides is how many you touched.

  1. Touch the sides of the circle. Touch each straight side once.
    none
  2. Count the sides. The last number is how many sides there are.
    no straight sides
  3. Write the answer.
    0

Check. Count again from the other side. You get 0 again. ✓

Watch out. Touch each side once. Do not count a corner as a side.

Watch out

Watch out: a circle has no straight sides and no corners. Do not count it as a shape with sides.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Draw a triangle, square and rectangle on paper. Touch each side and corner with a finger. Ask: “How many sides? How many corners?”

Exercise 7B  Sides and corners

Non-calculator
1
FHow many sides does a triangle have?
2
FHow many sides does a square have?
3
FHow many sides does a rectangle have?
4
FHow many straight sides does a circle have?
5
FHow many corners does a triangle have?
6
FHow many corners does a square have?
7
FHow many corners does a rectangle have?
8
FWhich shape has 3 sides? Say a, b or c.
abc
9
PSWhich shape has four sides and four corners, with all sides the same length?
10
PSA triangle has 3 sides. How many corners does it have?
11
PSSam says a square has 3 sides. Is he right? Explain.
12
RRuby counts 4 corners on a shape. Name two shapes that could be hers.
13
RExplain why a circle does not have any corners.
7.3

Solid shapes: 3-D shapes

Reception
Name cube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder and pyramid
Video lesson: Solid shapes: 3-D shapesComing soon

Noah has a box, a ball, a party hat and a tin of beans. These are 3-D shapes. They are solid, and you can pick them up.

A cube has square faces. A cuboid is a box shape. A sphere is a ball. A cone is a party hat. A cylinder is a tin. A pyramid has a square base and triangles that meet at a point.

A cube, one of the solid shapes.

Key ideas

  • A sphere is round, like a ball.
  • A cube has square faces.
  • A cuboid is a box shape, with long and short sides.
  • A cone has a point and a round base.
  • A cylinder has two round ends.
  • A pyramid has a square base and a point at the top.
Worked example 7.3.1
What shape is this?

Key words. A cube is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It is a solid shape with square faces.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is cube.
  3. Write the answer.
    cube

Check. Point to the cube in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.3.2
What shape is this?

Key words. A sphere is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It is round all over, like a ball.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is sphere.
  3. Write the answer.
    sphere

Check. Point to the sphere in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.3.3
What shape is this?

Key words. A cone is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    It has a point at the top and a round base.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is cone.
  3. Write the answer.
    cone

Check. Point to the cone in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Watch out

Watch out: a cube and a cuboid look alike. A cube has all its sides the same. A cuboid can be long and thin.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Collect a ball, a box, a tin and a dice from the kitchen. Ask: “Which one rolls? Which one stacks?” Ask your child to name each one. Check the names only use simple words.

Exercise 7C  Solid shapes

Non-calculator
1
FWhat shape is this?
2
FWhat shape is this?
3
FWhat shape is this?
4
FWhat shape is this?
5
FWhat shape is this?
6
FWhat shape is this?
7
FWhich shape is like a ball? Choose cube, sphere or cuboid.
8
FWhich shape is a tin of beans? Choose cylinder or cube.
9
PSWhich shape rolls like a ball? Choose sphere or cube.
10
PSWhich shape has a point at the top and a round bottom? Choose cone or sphere.
11
PSWhich shape has square faces all the same size? Choose cube or cylinder.
12
RElla says a sphere and a cube are the same shape. Is she right? Explain.
13
RName a 3-D shape you could find in a kitchen. Explain how you know.
7.4

Shapes all around us

Reception
Find shapes in the environment and say what they are like
Video lesson: Shapes all around usComing soon

Lily goes for a walk. She sees a ball in the park, a sign with four sides and a cone of ice cream on a cone.

Look around you. Shapes are everywhere. A window is often a rectangle. A football is a sphere. A dice is a cube. Shapes help us find our way and build things.

abc
Shapes you can see around you: a circle, a square and a rectangle.

Key ideas

  • Shapes are all around us.
  • A window is often a rectangle.
  • A ball is a sphere, and a dice is a cube.
Worked example 7.4.1
A window is often which shape?

Key words. A rectangle is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    A window has four sides, two long and two short.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is rectangle.
  3. Write the answer.
    rectangle

Check. Point to the rectangle in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.4.2
A football is which shape?

Key words. A sphere is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    A ball is round all over.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is sphere.
  3. Write the answer.
    sphere

Check. Point to the sphere in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Worked example 7.4.3
A dice is which shape?

Key words. A cube is a shape with its own name.

Method. Look at the shape. Think about its sides and corners, or whether it is round.

  1. Look at the shape. Notice whether it is round or has straight sides.
    A dice has six square faces.
  2. Find its name. Each shape has its own name.
    The name is cube.
  3. Write the answer.
    cube

Check. Point to the cube in the picture and say its name. ✓

Watch out. Round means no straight sides. Straight sides and corners mean a shape with a name like square.

Watch out

Watch out: a tin is a cylinder, not a circle. A circle is flat, but a cylinder is solid.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Go on a shape walk around the house or the park. Ask: “What shape is that? Is it flat or solid?” Say the shape names together.

Exercise 7D  Shapes around us

Non-calculator
1
FA ball is which shape?
2
FA tin of beans is which shape?
3
FA cereal box is which shape?
4
FA party hat is which shape?
5
FA dice is which shape?
6
FA window is often which shape?
7
FA slice of pizza is which shape?
8
PSWhich shape would roll down a hill? Choose cube or sphere.
9
PSSam wants a shape that stacks well in a box. Choose cube or sphere.
10
RName one shape you can see in your classroom or home. Say what it is like.
11
RExplain why a tin of beans is not a circle.
7.5

Position words

Reception
Use position words: above, below, next to, between, on top of, under, in front of, behind
Video lesson: Position wordsComing soon

Lee has a red circle and a blue square. Where are they? He says: “The circle is above the square.”

Position words tell us where things are. Above is higher. Below is lower. Next to means beside. Between means in the middle of two things. On top of means on the top. Under means below and covered. In front of means nearer. Behind means further back.

The circle is above the square.

Key ideas

  • Above means higher than.
  • Below means lower than.
  • Next to means beside.
  • Between means in the middle of two things.
Worked example 7.5.1
Which shape is above the square?

Key words. Above tells where a thing is compared with another thing.

Method. Look at where the shapes are. Find the shape that is above the other shape.

  1. Look at the picture. Find the shape that the question talks about.
    The circle is at the top.
  2. Find the shape that is above. Check where it is compared with the other shape.
    above
  3. Write the answer.
    circle

Check. Point to the circle, then to the shape it is above. ✓

Watch out. Check the position, not the size of the shapes.

Worked example 7.5.2
Which shape is below the square?

Key words. Below tells where a thing is compared with another thing.

Method. Look at where the shapes are. Find the shape that is below the other shape.

  1. Look at the picture. Find the shape that the question talks about.
    The circle is at the bottom.
  2. Find the shape that is below. Check where it is compared with the other shape.
    below
  3. Write the answer.
    circle

Check. Point to the circle, then to the shape it is below. ✓

Watch out. Check the position, not the size of the shapes.

Worked example 7.5.3
What shape is between the two circles?

Key words. Between tells where a thing is compared with another thing.

Method. Look at where the shapes are. Find the shape that is between the other shape.

  1. Look at the picture. Find the shape that the question talks about.
    The square is in the middle of the two circles.
  2. Find the shape that is between. Check where it is compared with the other shape.
    between
  3. Write the answer.
    square

Check. Point to the square, then to the shape it is between. ✓

Watch out. Check the position, not the size of the shapes.

Watch out

Watch out: check where each thing is compared with the other thing. The top shape is above, not below.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use toys on a table. Ask: “Where is the car? Is it above, below, next to or between?” Move the toys and ask again.

Exercise 7E  Position words

Non-calculator
1
FWhich shape is above the square?
2
FWhich shape is above the circle?
3
FWhich shape is below the square?
4
FWhich shape is next to the square?
5
FWhat shape is between the two circles?
6
FWhich shape is on top of the square?
7
FWhich shape is under the table?
8
FWhich shape is behind the square?
9
FWhich shape is in front of the circle?
10
PSAli puts a toy car next to the bus. Where is the car, compared with the bus?
11
PSThe cat is under the table. Is the cat above or below the table?
12
PSSam stands between Mum and Dad. Mum is on his right. Who is on his left?
13
RExplain the difference between above and under. Use a picture in your head.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Flat shapesCircle, triangle, square, rectangle and star. Flat shapes are 2-D.
Sides and cornersA side is a straight edge. A corner is where two sides meet.
Solid shapesCube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder and pyramid are 3-D.
Shapes around usA ball is a sphere, a dice is a cube and a tin is a cylinder.
Position wordsAbove, below, next to, between, on top of, under, in front of and behind.

Can you…?

  • I can name a circle, triangle, square, rectangle and star
  • I can count the sides and corners of a shape
  • I can name a sphere, cube, cuboid, cone, cylinder and pyramid
  • I can find shapes around me and say what they are like
  • I can use position words such as above, below, next to and between

Key terms

circle
a flat round shape with no corners
triangle
a flat shape with three straight sides
side
one straight edge of a flat shape
corner
a place where two sides meet
sphere
a solid round shape, like a ball
cube
a solid shape with six square faces
above
higher than
between
in the middle of two things

Exercise 7Z  Check-up

Non-calculator
1
What shape is this?
2
How many sides does a square have?
3
How many corners does a triangle have?
4
What shape is this?
5
What shape is this?
6
Which shape is a ball? Say the name.
7
Which shape is behind the square?
8
Which shape is next to the square?
9
Which shape is on top of the square?
10
Explain why a circle has no corners.

Total 22 marks. Allow about 22 minutes.

Exercise 7X  Practice test questions

Non-calculator
1
FWhat shape is this?[1 mark]
2
FHow many sides does a rectangle have?[1 mark]
3
FWhich shape is above the square?[2 marks]
4
FWhat shape is between the two circles?[2 marks]
5
FWhich shape is under the table?[2 marks]
6
PSWhich shape has a point at the top and a round base? Choose cone, sphere or cube.[2 marks]
7
RWhich shape is next to the square? Explain how you know.[3 marks]
8
RA tin is which shape? Explain why it is not a sphere.[3 marks]
9
RName two shapes that have no straight sides. Explain.[3 marks]
10
RElla says a square and a rectangle both have four corners. Is she right? Explain.[3 marks]
← Chapter 6: Taking away within 10Chapter 8: Patterns →

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