Geometric Landscape

The Book

Shapes of Australia

Written & illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft, published by Little Hare Books

The book is an artistic exploration of Australia’s diverse landscapes through the lens of geometric shapes. The book introduces young readers to the natural world by identifying and describing various shapes found in the environment, such as circles in the treetops, triangles in the mountains, and spirals in shells. This aligns with the learning objective AC9MFSP01, ACMMG006 (Mathematics, Foundation Year), which focuses on identifying and describing familiar two-dimensional shapes in the environment. Additionally, the book supports AC9AVAFD01, ACAVAM106 (Visual Arts, Foundation Year) by encouraging young readers to explore how visual arts express ideas about the world. Through Bancroft’s detailed and culturally rich illustrations, children learn to interpret and appreciate the unique beauty of Country through the use of shapes and patterns in visual storytelling. This beautifully illustrated book not only enhances children’s geometric understanding but also deepens their appreciation for the visual arts, making it a valuable resource for integrated learning in mathematics and art.

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Resource creator

Lian Khanh and Steven Huynh

Subject

Mathematics,

Level

Foundation,

Description

In this activity, students will explore 2D shapes by reading Shapes of Australia and identifying the shapes used in the book’s illustrations. They will then sort shapes into groups, name them, and use shape stamps to create their own colourful geometric landscape inspired by Australian scenery.

Learning Intentions

• Students learn to identify, sort, and name familiar 2D shapes

Successful Criteria

• Students can sort familiar 2D shapes, regardless of their size or colour.
• Students can name the shapes they use in their artwork.

Curriculum Alignment

AC9MFSP01 9.0 (Mathematics Foundation): Sort, name and create familiar shapes; recognise and describe familiar shapes within objects in the environment, giving reasons

• sorting a collection of shapes into groups based on different features such as the number of sides, colour or size, and describing how they have been sorted.
• creating a picture using a variety of shapes and a range of materials, including objects to trace around, describing the shapes they have created or used and sharing why they chose each shape in their picture
• creating familiar shapes using groups of people; for example, holding hands and creating a circle
• recognising and naming shapes that are (close to) rectangles, squares, triangles and circles in component parts of everyday items; for example, on bicycles, toy vehicles or kitchen pantry items
• describing and naming shapes within objects that can be observed on Country/Place, recreating and sorting into groups based on their shape

ACMMG009 8.4 (Mathematics Foundation): Sort, describe and name familiar two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects in the environment

• sorting and describing squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, spheres and cubes

Materials

The book “Shapes of Australia” by Bronwyn Bancroft
My Geometric Landscape sheet
Assorted 2D shapes (for sorting)
Shape stamps or 3D shape blocks (for stamping)
Paint, coloured markers and pencils…

Instructions

Read Aloud
- Begin by reading the book “Shapes of Australia” to the class.
- Discuss the vibrant colours and the different Australian landscapes depicted in the book.
Identify Shapes
- As you read, point out and discuss the shapes used to create the Australian landscape:
  - “Look at the rectangles that make the skyscrapers!”
  - “The mountain is shaped like a triangle!”
Sort Shapes
- Provide students with a collection of 2D shapes.
- Ask them to sort the shapes into different groups (e.g., all the circles together, all the triangles together, regardless of their size).
- Encourage them to say the name of the shapes as they sort.
Create the Artwork
- Provide students with shape stamps and a My Geometric Landscape sheet.
- Have them design their own unique landscape using the shapes.
- Encourage them to use a variety of colours, add more trees (i.e., the vertical line), and decorate the landscape with elements of nature such as clouds and/or the sun.

**Work Sample:** The student used stamps to create shape trees and made patterns on the ground using different shapes. They also drew a circular sun and triangular mountains, as depicted in the book.