Teacher guide · Creative Lab · Easier · about 30 min
🔺 Shape Corners
Pupils practise problem solving through "Shape Corners": Sides and corners of 2D shapes.
Lesson guide
1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🔺 mission title and read the opening: "Match the shape to its sides.". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Pixel the Fox's line as your prompt: "Nice! That's an idea nobody else had."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 3 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used problem solving today.
Discussion questions
- What was the hardest choice in "Shape Corners", and why?
- Which shape has no corners — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Find 3 shapes in your room and name them — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Where could you use problem solving outside school this week?
- If you did this again, what would you change?
Adapting it
Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.
Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.
Curriculum links
- National Curriculum: Maths: number, calculation, fractions and reasoning (KS1/KS2)
- National Curriculum: English: composition — planning and drafting ideas (KS1/KS2)
- National Curriculum: Design & Technology: generate, develop and communicate ideas
- PSHE: Health & wellbeing: self-concept, strengths and interests
Pupil sheet
🔺 Shape Corners
Name: ____________________ Date: __________
1. Match the shape to its sides.
Triangle → ________________
Square → ________________
Pentagon → ________________
Hexagon → ________________
2. Which shape has no corners?
☐ Circle
☐ Square
☐ Triangle
3. Find 3 shapes in your room and name them.