Number Crew 1: Shape and Space 1
Programme 2: Shape Escape – Recognising 2-D Shapes

Outline

The Number Crew children are trapped in the world of strange shapes and they have forgotten the name of the magic shape that transported them there. They cannot even remember how many sides the shape had. After considering other shapes with Matthew's help, they agree the triangle is the magic shape they need. The shape appears and the children get back to the ship safe and sound, although Baby Bunting was nearly left behind.

Recommendations for Use

It is recommended that teachers preview the programmes to note the places they might wish to stop the tape to encourage discussion. The programmes can be used as part of the introductory class activity, where the tape is stopped at pre-planned points and the whole class is encouraged to identify and review the problems posed or predict answers. Alternatively the programmes can be used as part of the main teaching activity before children pursue their differentiated tasks. At times it may be useful to use a whole programme as part of the plenary/last session of a lesson to allow children to review their own understanding of the work they have been doing and allow teachers to assess the children informally as they watch the programme.

Curriculum Relevance

The Number Crew 1: Shape and Space 1 is a unit of five 10-minute programmes designed to support key objectives in the National Numeracy Strategy for 5-6 year olds.

Activities

Before viewing

Have some off-cuts of paper or card for the children to look at and feel. Demonstrate that triangles can look very different but if a shape has three sides it is a triangle.

After viewing

Talk about Matthew's challenge: If you were desperately searching for a triangle any size, any shape, where's the nearest one to where you are sitting? And where's the nearest 'emergency' square, rectangle or circle?
Give the children sheets of coloured A4 paper and ask them to cut or fold the paper into triangles, rectangles and squares of different sizes.
Use sticky paper shapes and ask the children to make pictures of one of the animal passengers or one of The Number Crew children.

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