Mathematics · Junior Infants

Active learning ideas

Quadrilaterals: Properties and Classification

Active learning helps students grasp quadrilateral properties by moving beyond abstract definitions to hands-on exploration. Manipulating shapes, building models, and sorting real objects make abstract concepts like parallel sides and right angles concrete and memorable for young learners.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Junior Cycle - Strand 3: Geometry and Trigonometry - G.1.7

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Hundred Languages
• 25 min · Small Groups

Sorting Mats: Quadrilateral Sort

Prepare mats labeled with properties like 'four equal sides' or 'one pair parallel.' Provide cut-out shapes for students to sort. Groups discuss and justify placements, then share one example with the class.

Differentiate between a rectangle and a parallelogram.

Facilitation Tip

During Sorting Mats: Quadrilateral Sort, circulate with a set of pre-made examples and nonexamples to guide students who misclassify shapes.

What to look for

Provide students with a collection of shape cutouts (squares, rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and some non-quadrilaterals). Ask them to sort the shapes into two groups: 'Quadrilaterals' and 'Not Quadrilaterals'. Then, ask them to sort the quadrilaterals into smaller groups based on their properties.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Hundred Languages
• 20 min · Pairs

Straw Builds: Make Quadrilaterals

Give pairs straws and pipe cleaners. Instruct them to build a square, then adjust to make a rectangle and parallelogram. Test properties by measuring sides and checking angles with square corners.

Analyze the unique properties that define each type of quadrilateral.

Facilitation Tip

While students complete Straw Builds: Make Quadrilaterals, ask guiding questions like, ‘How can you slide the straws to make the sides parallel?’ to reinforce key vocabulary.

What to look for

Give each student a card with a picture of a quadrilateral. Ask them to write down two properties of that shape (e.g., 'It has four right angles', 'It has two pairs of parallel sides'). Collect these to check for understanding of specific properties.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Hundred Languages
• 30 min · Pairs

Shape Hunt: Classroom Quadrilaterals

Students hunt for quadrilateral objects like tiles or boxes. Record on charts by classifying each. Regroup to verify properties together.

Construct a Venn diagram to show the relationships between different quadrilaterals.

Facilitation Tip

For Shape Hunt: Classroom Quadrilaterals, model how to hold up a shape and count parallel sides aloud to encourage precise observation.

What to look for

Show students a picture of a Venn diagram with 'Rectangles' and 'Parallelograms' as the two main circles. Ask: 'Where would you place a square in this diagram? Explain your reasoning.' Listen for students to articulate that a square fits in the overlapping section because it has properties of both.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Hundred Languages
• 35 min · Whole Class

Floor Venn: Shape Relationships

Draw large Venn diagrams on the floor with chalk tape. Students place shape cards in overlapping areas based on properties. Walk through to explain inclusions like squares in rectangles.

Differentiate between a rectangle and a parallelogram.

Facilitation Tip

During Floor Venn: Shape Relationships, step into the circles yourself to model how to place shapes and verbalize reasoning for the class.

What to look for

Provide students with a collection of shape cutouts (squares, rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and some non-quadrilaterals). Ask them to sort the shapes into two groups: 'Quadrilaterals' and 'Not Quadrilaterals'. Then, ask them to sort the quadrilaterals into smaller groups based on their properties.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should start with clear definitions but immediately move to exploration. Avoid overwhelming students with too many shapes at once; focus on squares and rectangles first, then introduce parallelograms and trapezoids as variations. Research shows that young learners benefit from repeated exposure to shapes in different contexts, so incorporate quadrilaterals into daily routines like calendar time or clean-up tasks to reinforce familiarity.

Successful learning looks like students confidently naming shapes by their properties, using vocabulary like ‘parallel sides’ or ‘right angles’ correctly, and explaining why one shape fits into a specific category during sorting or discussion. Students should also begin to see relationships between shapes, such as recognizing that a square is a special rectangle.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Sorting Mats: Quadrilateral Sort, watch for students assuming all quadrilaterals have right angles.

  Have students use a corner square to test angles on their shapes, then discuss which shapes meet this rule and which do not, using the mat’s sorting labels as a visual reference.

• During Floor Venn: Shape Relationships, watch for students thinking a square is not a rectangle.

  Guide students to place the square in the overlapping section of the Venn diagram, then ask them to explain why it fits in both circles using properties they’ve observed.

• During Straw Builds: Make Quadrilaterals, watch for students building trapezoids with no parallel sides.

  Encourage students to slide one straw along the other to feel when sides become parallel, then adjust their builds to include exactly one pair of parallel sides.

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Methods used in this brief

• Hundred Languages