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Summer Block 3: Manipulating, Composing and Decomposing Shapes focuses on spatial reasoning, helping Reception pupils explore how shapes fit together and can be taken apart. Aligned with the White Rose EYFS Summer small steps, these lessons build strong foundations in early geometry through hands-on exploration, visual models and structured talk.
Pupils select, rotate and manipulate 2-D and 3-D shapes, then move on to composing and decomposing shapes to create pictures and patterns. They also continue to recognise 2-D shapes within 3-D shapes, strengthening vocabulary and spatial awareness in preparation for Year 1.
Looking for structured Reception shape planning that develops real spatial reasoning? Summer Block 3 provides White Rose aligned EYFS maths lessons designed to secure strong foundations in early geometry and shape manipulation.
Pupils explore how shapes can be rotated, moved, combined and taken apart, using practical resources and visual prompts to explain what they notice. These EYFS spatial reasoning activities help pupils develop the language and understanding needed to describe how shapes fit together, where they belong and how they can be rearranged.
The unit also includes structured work on composing and decomposing shapes, including copying 2-D shape pictures and recognising 2-D shapes within 3-D shapes. This supports early problem-solving and prepares pupils for KS1 geometry, where pupils are expected to recognise, describe and compare shapes with increasing accuracy.
Each lesson pack includes:
This block forms part of our full EYFS maths scheme of work for Reception and supports progression into Year 1 shape learning.
