Lines, Segments and Rays
Year 2 learn about lines, line segments and rays, plus parallel and perpendicular lines.
# Lines, Segments and Rays
Geometry is built from lines. Understanding the different kinds of lines helps children describe shapes, angles and the world around them. This lesson introduces the key words children need for later work on angles and coordinates.
Lines Go On Forever
In geometry, a line is straight and goes on forever in both directions. We draw arrows on each end to show this. Of course we cannot really draw something endless, but the arrows remind us that a true line never stops.
Line Segments Have Ends
A line segment is part of a line with two endpoints. The sides of shapes are line segments because they have a clear start and finish. When we measure a side of a square, we are measuring a line segment.
Rays Have One End
A ray has one endpoint and goes on forever in just one direction. Think of a ray of sunshine starting at the sun and travelling outward. Rays are useful when we learn about angles because an angle is made of two rays meeting at a point.
Parallel and Perpendicular
Parallel lines are always the same distance apart and never meet, like train tracks. Perpendicular lines cross at a right angle, like the corner of a book. Spotting these around the home builds a strong sense of how lines behave.
Drawing Lines
Practise drawing each kind of line. Use a ruler for straight lines and add arrows where needed. Talking about whether a line goes on forever or stops at a point helps children use the right words.
Related Resources
Need worksheets for this topic? Generate a personalised worksheet or browse our collection.
