NCERT Ganita Prakash, Class 6, textbook pages 187–216

How to teach Class 6 Maths Chapter 8, Playing with Constructions, at home

Constructing squares, rectangles and using a compass, taught with things you already have at home: a 20-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

compass flower, one radius

NCERT Class 6 Maths Chapter 8 Playing with Constructions: what it teaches

Using a ruler and compass, your child draws circles and arcs, constructs squares and rectangles accurately, explores the diagonals of rectangles, and finds points equidistant from two given points.

Why it matters later. Constructions with ruler and compass are the base of geometry proofs and technical drawing later.

See it: this chapter in pictures

6 cm4 cmdiagonals: both ≈ 7.2 cm
Rectangle diagonals are equal.
ABequidistant
Points equally far from A and B lie on one line.
hold the top,keep the radius
A compass keeps the radius fixed.

You need

  • a compass
  • a ruler with cm
  • a set square or protractor
  • pencil and eraser

Tonight’s 20 minutes

  1. Draw circles of radius 3 cm and 5 cm. Make a flower pattern with arcs.
  2. Construct a rectangle 6 cm by 4 cm using a set square for right angles.
  3. Draw both diagonals of the rectangle and measure them. Equal?
  4. Mark two points A and B. Find points the same distance from both using compass arcs.

Words to use

  • compass
  • radius
  • arc
  • diagonal
  • construct
  • equidistant
  • perpendicular

Watch for

  • Compass width slipping while drawing. Hold the top, not the legs, and tighten the screw.
  • Right angles drawn by eye. Use a set square or protractor for every corner.

What it sounds like at home

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

YouDraw a rectangle 6 by 4. Measure the diagonals.

Your childBoth 7.2 cm.

YouAlways equal?

Your childIn rectangles, yes.

YouFind a point the same distance from A and B.

Your childArcs from both, where they meet.

A game for this week: Compass art

  1. Draw a circle.
  2. Keeping the same radius, draw arcs from points on the circle.
  3. Build a 6-petal flower.
  4. Colour and display it.

A 5-day plan, 20 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Circles and arcs.
  2. Day 2Construct a rectangle.
  3. Day 3Diagonals of rectangles.
  4. Day 4Points equidistant from two points.
  5. Day 5Compass art.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Drawing plans for a room.
  • Designing a garden.
  • Rangoli with arcs.
  • Making perfect circles.

Quick check

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

Are the diagonals of a rectangle equal?

Yes.

What does a compass keep constant?

The radius (distance from the centre).

Where do points equidistant from A and B lie?

On the perpendicular bisector of AB.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Uses a compass to draw circles and arcs.
  • Constructs squares and rectangles accurately.
  • Finds equidistant points.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Ganita Prakash (Class 6). See the full Class 6 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

What is constructed in Class 6?

Circles, squares, rectangles and points equidistant from two points using ruler and compass.

Are rectangle diagonals equal?

Yes, and they bisect each other.

Why use a compass instead of measuring?

A compass keeps distances exactly equal.