The purpose of this activity is to support students using their understanding of properties to establish the differences and similarities between and among shapes. Similarity is the basis of classifying shapes by their defined properties and difference is important for recognising non-examples.
Let students select a shape and tell a peer their reason for selecting it.
Discuss the possible odd shape out. Each shape can be chosen with the correct criterion. For example:
As students explain their choice, ask them to indicate to the shape and make the property (e.g. sides, angles) clear to others. Explanations about angle are an opportunity to measure angles with a protractor to check for equality. Through discussion, encourage the use of relevant mathematical vocabulary and te reo Māori kupu (e.g. tapa - side/edge).
Next steps
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/sorting-shapes-similarity-and-difference at 9:00pm on the 26th February 2024