Teacher guide · Think Lab · Easier · about 30 min

🔺 Shape Hunt

Pupils practise problem solving through "Shape Hunt": Find circles, squares and triangles all around you.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🔺 mission title and read the opening: "How many sides does a triangle have?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Cog the Owl's line as your prompt: "Good thinking. Show me the why."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 4 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.

What was the hardest choice in "Shape Hunt", and why?
How many sides does a triangle have — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Which shape has no corners — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Name something in your room shaped like a rectangle — 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?

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.

National Curriculum: Maths: number, calculation, fractions and reasoning (KS1/KS2)
National Curriculum: Maths: reasoning mathematically and problem solving
National Curriculum: Computing: logical reasoning and algorithms
PSHE: Living in the wider world: making decisions and evaluating choices

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. How many sides does a triangle have?
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
2. Match the shape to an object.
Circle → ________________
Square → ________________
Triangle → ________________
Rectangle → ________________
3. Which shape has no corners?
☐ Circle
☐ Square
☐ Triangle
4. Name something in your room shaped like a rectangle.