Course Description

Building Strong Foundations in Mathematical Thinking

This class is designed to challenge and inspire Year 1 students who are ready to deepen their understanding of shapes and spatial reasoning.

This course fully aligns with the National Curriculum for England and goes beyond basic recognition to encourage critical thinking, description, and creative application of geometry concepts.

Course Overview

Week 1: Advanced 2D Shape Recognition
Identify and name a wide range of 2D shapes including regular and irregular polygons (circle, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon).
Begin to explore properties such as symmetry and equal sides.

Week 2: Exploring Shape Properties
Investigate and compare the number of sides, vertices, and angles of 2D shapes.
Begin discussing attributes such as right angles and line symmetry in simple shapes.

Week 3: Introduction to 3D Shapes and Their Attributes
Recognise and name 3D shapes: cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid.
Discuss properties including faces, edges, vertices, and curved vs flat surfaces.

Week 4: Describing and Constructing 3D Shapes
Build 3D shapes using models and craft materials.
Describe and compare shapes using precise vocabulary (edges, vertices, faces).
Explore real-life objects to identify shapes and their properties.

Week 5: Sorting, Classifying & Reasoning
Sort and classify shapes by multiple attributes such as shape, size, color, and number of sides.
Develop reasoning by explaining why shapes belong to particular groups using mathematical language.

Week 6: Creating and Identifying Shape Patterns
Create and identify repeating and growing patterns using 2D and 3D shapes.
Apply understanding by designing artworks and problem-solving activities involving shapes and patterns.

How This Benefits Your Child?

• Deepens understanding of shape properties and spatial awareness.
• Builds key vocabulary for geometry, enhancing communication skills.
• Encourages logical thinking and reasoning through classification and pattern recognition.
• Supports problem-solving and creativity with hands-on learning.
• Fully supports National Curriculum requirements for Year 1 and prepares children for Year 2 challenges.

How You Can Support at Home?

• Explore shapes in your environment and discuss their properties using mathematical terms.
• Encourage your child to build shapes with household materials like straws, paper, or blocks.
• Play shape-sorting and pattern-making games together.
• Ask your child to explain their reasoning when sorting or describing shapes.

Private Lessons are also available to support your child’s mathematical journey!