Shape, space and measure prompts This is a useful prompt to ensure that shape, space and measure is covered and taught effectively towards the early learning goals. www.earlybirdyeducation.com

Shape, space and measure Encourage maths in the classroom by providing lots of practical activities e.g. measuring jugs, funnels, cups, water and recipes involving quantity. How many counting bears can you fit in the box? Turn maths into an investigation and allow the children to get practical and explore. The children will be much more engaged and will enjoy thinking critically and creatively. Fill the maths area with open ended challenges and questions. Create a challenge corner and change the challenge daily or weekly e.g. What 3d shapes can you use to build a castle? Who can complete the challenge and become a maths wizard! Ensure that the learning environment is full of key words and extended vocabulary. For example :- I have one curved edge. I have two faces, one is curved and one is flat. My flat face is a circle. I am a cone! Make personal books with the children to explore ‘real life math’ for example my door number… street numbers…. what is in my purse?.... Shapes in my bedroom… Shape, space and measure Children use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems. They recognise, create and describe patterns. They explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them. Introduce real word problems to the children and include on an interactive display in the classroom e.g. Kate has 10p in her purse (show 5p+5p) and tom has 2p (show 10+1p) How much money do they have together? Leave out props for the children to solve the problem independently. www.earlybirdyeducation.com