Neon City
In this collection of short films for primary schools we are introduced to Zach and Kayla, who build their dream 'virtual city' with the help of AI assistant, Ada.
Throughout the videos Zach and Kayla learn and demonstrate geometry and measurement skills, to make sure that the key elements of their virtual city, such as the skate park and the swimming pool, are measured and placed correctly. Ada explains key concepts and asks the children questions to help them build Neon City, which appears on the screen in front of them.
The films are ideally suited to be used within a mastery approach to maths, as each episode addresses its subject matter by combining elements of fluency, reasoning and problem solving. The films use pictorial representations of calculations that pupils may be familiar with, such as bar models and part/whole models.
Measuring area. video
Ada introduces Zach and Kayla to the concept of area, and different ways to measure and calculate the area of rectangles, triangles and composite shapes.
Perimeter. video
Zach and Kayla are creating windows for their virtual house design and Ada explains how they can work out the perimeter for the windows they want.
Volume. video
Kayla and Zach decide to build a swimming pool for their virtual city and Ada explains how to calculate the volume and capacity of a cuboid shape.
Metric and imperial measurements. video
Kayla and Zach decide to build a new hovertrain system from the city to the beach, but they get confused between kilometres and miles. Ada explains how to calculate betwen the two measurement systems, metric and imperial.
Measuring angles - Part 1. video
Kayla and Zach are designing ramps for the skatepark and Ada explains that designing ramps requires us to measure angles – the amount of turn between two lines.
Measuring angles - Part 2. video
Whilst adding ramps to their virtual skatepark, Zach and Kayla progress from measuring angles to calculating angles on a straight line and full turn.
Missing lengths and angles. video
A computer virus has corrupted the Neon City software. Zach and Kayla must answer four questions within three minutes, or their city will be erased.
Regular and irregular polygons. video
Zach’s design for a pond in the virtual city park leads to Ada explaining the properties of regular and irregular polygons.
Coordinates on a grid. video
Kayla and Zach are designing a fairground and need to plot where to place the different rides, so Ada teaches them about the x-axis and y-axis on a coordinate grid.
Units of time. video
Ada asks Kayla and Zach a series of quiz questions, requiring them to convert from one time measurement unit to another.
Curriculum notes
These short films are suitable for teaching maths at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland, 2nd Level in Scotland and Progression steps 2 and 3 in Wales.
Episode 1: Measuring area
Kayla and Zach find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares and then calculate and compare the area of rectangles (including squares) using square metres (m²) and estimate the area of irregular shapes.
Episode 2: Perimeter
Kayla and Zach calculate the perimeter of simple 2D shapes and composite rectilinear figures (including squares) in centimetres and metres.
Episode 3: Volume
Kayla and Zach learn about volume and capacity and calculate and compare the size of a cuboid in different units including cubic centimetres (cm³) and cubic metres (m³). They then calculate the volume of water needed to fill the cuboid.
Episode 4: Metric and imperial measurements
Kayla and Zach learn to recognise and use approximate equivalences between metric units and common imperial units including miles, feet and pounds.
Episode 5: Measuring angles part 1
Ada helps Kayla and Zach to recognise angles as a property of shape or a description of a turn and they learn that angles are measured in degrees. They identify that there are 4 right angles (90°) in a whole turn (360°) and measure and compare acute, obtuse and reflex angles.
Episode 6: Measuring angles part 2
Kayla and Zach identify angles at a point and one whole turn (total 360°), angles at a point on a straight line and ½ a turn (total 180°) other multiples of 90°. Ada teaches them to how to calculate missing angles.
Episode 7: Missing lengths and angles
Kayla and Zach find missing lengths and angles of rectilinear shapes and triangles.
Episode 8: Regular and irregular polygons
Kayla and Zach distinguish between regular and irregular polygons based on reasoning about equal sides and angles.
Episode 9: Coordinates on a grid
Kayla and Zach describe positions on the a coordinate grid (all four quadrants) and draw and translate simple shapes on the coordinate plane, and reflect them in the axes.
Episode 10: Units of time
Kayla and Zach are taught how to solve problems involving converting between units of time.
Where next?
Hypatia's Mathematical Maze. collection
A series of short animated films for primary schools, following the adventures of Olivia and Hassan as they're challenged with maths problems to find their way through Hypatia's mathematical maze.
Super Movers: KS2 Maths
All our KS2 Super Movers maths videos in one place. Find fun, curriculum-linked resources to get your class moving while they learn, featuring Naomi Wilkinson, Hacker T. Dog and the Worst Witch.
Bitesize: KS2 Maths
Use these Bitesize resources to set homework, independent study tasks or to consolidate learning for your pupils.
