Tetrominoes and pentominoes
I can explore, discuss and compare tetrominoes and pentominoes.
Tetrominoes and pentominoes
I can explore, discuss and compare tetrominoes and pentominoes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Four connected squares make a tetromino, and five connected squares make a pentomino.
- The five possible tetrominoes can be explored, discussed and compared.
- The 12 possible pentominoes can be explored, discussed and compared.
- Tetrominoes and pentominoes can be rotated and flipped.
- A particular tetromino or pentomino can be transformed into another by moving some of the squares.
Keywords
Arrangement - The way something is organised.
Tetromino - An arrangement of four connected squares.
Pentomino - An arrangement of four connected squares.
Rotate - To spin around.
Flip - To reflect in a mirror line.
Common misconception
Might not recognise that the arrangement is still the same when it has been rotated or flipped.
Allow plenty of opportunity to explore practically and model rotating, flipping and comparing arrangements.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Tetrominoes and pentominoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Tetrominoes and pentominoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Recognise, compose, decompose and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
















Exit quiz
6 Questions













