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Year 4AC9M4SP01

Shapes Made From Shapes

Represent and approximate composite shapes and objects in the environment, using combinations of familiar shapes and objects.

Read this first

Big shapes are made of small ones. Look for the shapes you already know.

A rectangle split into squares4 cm2 cm

This shape is made of eight small squares.

Words you need

Composite
Made of more than one shape put together.
Face
A flat side of a solid shape.
Solid
A shape you can hold. It is not flat.

Worked example

e.g. A house shape is drawn. What shapes make it?
  1. Look at the bottom part. It is a square.
  2. Look at the top part. It is a triangle.
  3. Draw a line where they meet. Now you can see both.
    The square part of the house shapesquare base
  4. The house is a square and a triangle.

Draw the split line first. Then name each part.

Practice

The pictures fade as you go. By the last few you are on your own.

1What two shapes make this?with a picture
A long rectangle split in two
AnswerTwo squares.
2How many small squares make this rectangle?with a picture
A rectangle five by three15 squares
Answer15.
3What shapes make a tin of beans?with a hint
Need a hint?

Look at the top and the side.

AnswerTwo circles and a curved rectangle.
4What shape is a die?with a hint
Need a hint?

Count the flat faces.

AnswerA cube. It has 6 square faces.
5Name a real thing shaped like a cylinder.on your own
AnswerA can, a pipe or a candle.
6How many faces has a rectangular prism?on your own
AnswerSix.
7What two shapes could make an ice cream cone?on your own
AnswerA cone and a half ball.

Think about it

1
Why split a shape into parts?
One good answerSmall shapes are easier to measure and count.
2
Can the same shape be split more than one way?
One good answerYes. Any split that works is fine.

Common mistakes

Thinking a shape has only one name.
A square is also a rectangle.
Counting only the faces you can see.
Turn it over. Some faces hide at the back.
Next step
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