MAFS.1.G.1.1Archived Standard

Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: 1
Domain-Subdomain: Geometry
Cluster: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Cluster: Reason with shapes and their attributes. (Additional Cluster) -

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5012030: Mathematics - Grade One (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7712020: Access Mathematics Grade 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5020080: STEM Lab Grade 1 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012005: Foundational Skills in Mathematics K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Educational Game

Shape & Solid Exploration:

In this game, learners use clues to identify mystery shapes. Use everyday objects (like from the pantry) as the shapes. It is important for learners to be able to describe a shape with correct math vocabulary and to be able to visualize a shape in their head.

Type: Educational Game

Formative Assessments

Turning a Square:

Students are shown a square in various orientations and asked if it is still a square.

Type: Formative Assessment

Is it Still a Rectangle?:

Students discuss the defining and non-defining attributes of rectangles.

Type: Formative Assessment

Draw Triangles:

Students draw two triangles and are prompted to describe the triangles in terms of defining attributes.

Type: Formative Assessment

Attributes of a Hexagon:

Students draw two hexagons and are asked to justify their drawings.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Must or Might: Exploring Defining Attributes of 3-D Figures:

The purpose of this lesson is for students to examine defining and non-defining attributes of 3-dimensional figures. Students compare and contrast various representations of 3-dimensional figures (including real-world objects) to determine what the solid must have, compared to what it might have. This exploration is also supported by sorting 3-dimensional figures.

Type: Lesson Plan

Shape Identifying and Sketching:

In this lesson students will describe attributes of triangles, rectangles, squares, and hexagons and identify these shapes by their attributes. Given the name of one of these shapes, students will use their knowledge of the shape's attributes to represent the shape with a sketch.

Type: Lesson Plan

Being Shapely!:

In this lesson, students will work collaboratively to identify and sketch shapes with defining and non-defining attributes.

Type: Lesson Plan

Composite Creature:

The students will use pattern blocks to build and draw new composite geometric shapes, ultimately using composite shapes to form a creature.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Shape Sleuths: Trapezoids:

Learn about the defining attributes of trapezoids in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Note: This tutorial uses the definition of trapezoid that includes exactly one pair of parallel sides.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Rectangles and Squares:

Help find clues to identify rectangles and squares and their defining attributes in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Circus Fun: The Search for Circles:

Learn the attributes, or characteristics, of a circle in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Hexagons:

Learn about the defining attributes of hexagons in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Triangles:

Learn about the defining attributes of triangles in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Ideas

Polygons and Shapely Lines:

This activity gives students practice drawing straight lines with a ruler and looking for and categorizing shapes, for example, by the number of sides in polygons. The Teachers' Notes page includes suggestions for implementation, discussion questions and ideas for extension.

Type: Teaching Idea

Shape Hunt:

To give students opportunities to recognize, describe, build, and explore shapes in many different contexts.

Type: Teaching Idea

MFAS Formative Assessments

Attributes of a Hexagon:

Students draw two hexagons and are asked to justify their drawings.

Draw Triangles:

Students draw two triangles and are prompted to describe the triangles in terms of defining attributes.

Is it Still a Rectangle?:

Students discuss the defining and non-defining attributes of rectangles.

Turning a Square:

Students are shown a square in various orientations and asked if it is still a square.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5

Circus Fun: The Search for Circles:

Learn the attributes, or characteristics, of a circle in this interactive tutorial.

Shape Sleuths: Hexagons:

Learn about the defining attributes of hexagons in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Shape Sleuths: Rectangles and Squares:

Help find clues to identify rectangles and squares and their defining attributes in this interactive tutorial.

Shape Sleuths: Trapezoids:

Learn about the defining attributes of trapezoids in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Note: This tutorial uses the definition of trapezoid that includes exactly one pair of parallel sides.

Shape Sleuths: Triangles:

Learn about the defining attributes of triangles in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

Shape Sleuths: Trapezoids:

Learn about the defining attributes of trapezoids in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Note: This tutorial uses the definition of trapezoid that includes exactly one pair of parallel sides.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Rectangles and Squares:

Help find clues to identify rectangles and squares and their defining attributes in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Circus Fun: The Search for Circles:

Learn the attributes, or characteristics, of a circle in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Hexagons:

Learn about the defining attributes of hexagons in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Shape Sleuths: Triangles:

Learn about the defining attributes of triangles in this interactive tutorial series about shapes.

Click below to learn about other shapes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.