Shapes Around Us
Shapes are not only found in mathematics books. We see them in our homes, classrooms, streets, parks and many other places.
When we look at an object, we can observe its outline and decide which familiar shape it looks like.
Learning Objectives
- Recognise familiar shapes in everyday objects.
- Connect objects with their shapes.
- Compare different objects by shape.
- Use shape names correctly.
Circle in Everyday Objects
- Coin → circle
- Plate → circle
- Wheel → circle
- Clock face → often a circle
Square in Everyday Objects
- Square tile → square
- Some windows → square
- Some boxes or pictures → square
Rectangle in Everyday Objects
- Book → rectangle
- Door → rectangle
- Notebook → rectangle
- Mobile phone → rectangle
Triangle in Everyday Objects
- Some road signs → triangle
- Some flags → triangle
- Some musical or decorative objects → triangle
Look at the Shape
An object may not be exactly the same as a mathematical shape. We are looking for the shape that its outline most closely resembles.
These four shapes can help us describe many objects around us.
Common Mistakes
- Do not identify an object only by its colour.
- Look at its outline and overall form.
- The same type of object can have different shapes.
Practice
1. What shape does a coin usually look like?
2. What shape does a book usually look like?
3. Which shape has three sides?
4. Name one object that looks like a square.
5. Name one object that looks like a rectangle.
Try It Yourself
Go on a shape hunt. Find one circle, one square, one rectangle and one triangle around you. Write the object next to its shape.
Quick Revision
- Objects around us can have familiar shapes.
- Coins and plates can look like circles.
- Tiles can look like squares.
- Books and doors can look like rectangles.
- Some signs and flags can look like triangles.
Next Step
We have learned about shapes and where to find them. In the final lesson of this chapter, we will learn how to describe where objects are using position and direction words.