NCERT Maths Mela, Class 4, textbook pages 1–23

How to teach Class 4 Maths Chapter 1, Shapes Around Us, at home

Shapes, models and angles, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

a model from blocks

NCERT Class 4 Maths Chapter 1 Shapes Around Us: what it teaches

Your child builds models of real buildings from blocks, then studies the flat and solid shapes inside them. The big new idea is the angle: the amount of turn at a corner, compared with a right angle (a square corner) as more than, less than or equal to it.

Why it matters later. Angles and shapes are the base of geometry in Class 5 and beyond, from measuring angles with a protractor to area and perimeter.

See it: this chapter in pictures

right anglelessmore
Compare every angle with a right angle.
short armslong armssame angle!
The size of an angle is the turn, not the arm length.
Dot paper makes neat angles and shapes.

You need

  • building blocks or boxes
  • a paper square-corner tester (fold a paper twice)
  • dot paper (draw a grid of dots)
  • two pencils or strips joined at one end

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Build a model of a monument or your house with blocks. Which shapes did you use for pillars, roof and base?
  2. Fold a paper twice to make a right-angle tester. Test corners of books, doors and tiles.
  3. Open two joined strips a little, then more. Is the angle smaller than, equal to, or bigger than the tester?
  4. On dot paper, draw triangles and four-sided shapes with one, two or no right angles.

Words to use

  • angle
  • right angle
  • more than a right angle
  • less than a right angle
  • corner
  • triangle
  • circle
  • model

Watch for

  • Thinking longer arms mean a bigger angle. Draw the same opening with short and long arms. The turn is the same; only the arms changed.
  • Calling any corner a right angle. Always test with the folded paper corner.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouWhich angle is bigger, this one with long arms or this one?

Your childThe long one.

YouPut the tester on both.

Your childThey’re the same opening!

YouSo what makes an angle bigger?

Your childHow much it’s turned.

A game for this week: Angle hunt

  1. Make a right-angle tester by folding paper.
  2. Each player has 3 minutes to find angles around the house.
  3. Sort finds into less than, equal to, and more than a right angle.
  4. One point per correct find.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Build a model of a building.
  2. Day 2Right-angle tester hunt.
  3. Day 3Open and close strips: compare angles.
  4. Day 4Shapes on dot paper.
  5. Day 5Angle hunt game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Doors opening wider and wider.
  • Corners of tiles and windows.
  • Clock hands making angles.
  • Roofs and ramps.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

Is the corner of a book a right angle?

Yes.

Open scissors a little. Is the angle more or less than a right angle?

Less.

Can a triangle have two right angles?

No.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Names right angles and compares other angles to them.
  • Knows angle size does not depend on arm length.
  • Draws shapes with right angles on dot paper.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 4). See the full Class 4 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

What is an angle in Class 4 maths?

The amount of turn at a corner, compared with a right angle.

What is a right angle?

A square corner, like the corner of a book.

Do children measure angles in degrees in Class 4?

No, they compare angles with a right angle. Degrees come later.