Standard 1 : Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres). (Additional Cluster) (Archived)



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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.

General Information

Number: MAFS.K.G.1
Title: Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres). (Additional Cluster)
Type: Cluster
Subject: Mathematics - Archived
Grade: K
Domain-Subdomain: Geometry

Related Standards

This cluster includes the following benchmarks
Code Description
MAFS.K.G.1.1: Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
MAFS.K.G.1.2: Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.
MAFS.K.G.1.3: Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) or three-dimensional (“solid”).


Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
MAFS.K.G.1.AP.1a: Use spatial language (e.g., above, below) to describe two-dimensional shapes.
MAFS.K.G.1.AP.2a:

Recognize two-dimensional shapes (e.g., circle, square, triangle, rectangle), regardless of orientation or size.

MAFS.K.G.1.AP.3a: Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying flat) or three-dimensional (“solid”).


Related Resources

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

Original Student Tutorials

Name Description
Sorting Shapes:

Learn to sort and identify two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes in this carnival-themed interactive tutorial.

Farm Baby Rescue Part 1: Up and Down Positions:

Relative positions include up and down, top and bottom, over, on, and under, and above and below. Learn different types of up and down positions to rescue eight chicks in this farm-themed, interactive tutorial. 

The Search for Shapes: Recognizing Rectangles and Squares:

Identify and name rectangles and squares based on their defining attributes, even if they have different sizes or positions. Join King Geo and his scout, Quad, as they search for rectangles and squares in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

The Search for Shapes: Exploring Hexagons:

Help find hexagons based on their defining attributes for King Geo in this interactive tutorial. Learn what makes a hexagon a hexagon.

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

The Search for Shapes: Tracking Triangles:

Track down triangles based on their defining attributes for King Geo in this interactive tutorial.  Learn what makes a triangle a triangle.

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

Educational Games

Name Description
Is it 2D or 3D?: Score points by sorting 2D and 3D shapes into the correct basket as they fly by. Lose points if you answer incorrectly.
Match the 2D Shape:

Play the concentration game. Match the 2D shape to the correct name.

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.

Formative Assessments

Name Description
Is it Still a Triangle?:

Students are asked to identify a triangle shown in two different orientations.

What Shape?:

Students name two-dimensional shapes given pictures on a worksheet.

Find That Shape:

Students are given a variety of shapes and asked to find specific ones.

Where is the Sphere?:

Students describe the position of a sphere in relationship to other objects.

Squares and Cubes:

Students compare a cube to a square face of the cube.

Spheres and Circles:

Students determine if a globe and a circle are two-dimensional or three-dimensional and explain their reasoning.

Small and Large Spheres:

Students are asked to identify two spheres of different sizes.

Shapes In A Classroom:

Students examine two photographs taken in a classroom and identify and name shapes they see.

Name The Shape:

Students name two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes given manipulatives or pictures on a worksheet.

Locations of Shapes:

Students examine two photographs taken in a classroom and identify and name shapes whose locations are described with words.

Is it Plane or Solid?:

Students examine a rectangle and a rectangular prism to discuss the similarities and differences.

Identify the Shapes:

Students determine whether a shape is a circle, triangle, rectangle or square.

Comparing a Cylinder to a Circle:

Students compare the outline of the circular base of a cylinder to the cylinder itself.

Changing Position:

Students move a linking cube to different positions based on teacher instructions.

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Find the Flag: Shape Edition:

In this integrated lesson plan, students are tasked with finding the Florida state flag by following directions from a partner who names the 2D or 3D shape it is hidden beneath. 

Rectangles Rock!:

Using the book Mouse Shapes as a springboard text, students will identify the main idea of the story and locate specific details to support the story. They will then use information in the story, attribute blocks, and discussion to identify a rectangle, its name, and its attributes.

Eating Shapes (Exploring 3D Shapes):

This lesson is an introduction to 3-dimensional shapes. The lessons uses food to help students explore the attributes of those shapes. Then, of course, the students get to eat them!

Hide and Seek those Shapes:

In this lesson, students will discover the names of different two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and their attributes through activities such as playing "Hide and Seek" with shapes and playing "Hot and Cold" to find shapes in the classroom.

Desktop Display:

Students are asked to help create a desktop out of attribute blocks. They must choose the shape they will use to make the desk first based on number of sides and price. Then they must also take into account the strength of the desk.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Shape Detective:

The students will identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles, ) regardless of their orientations or overall size by becoming detectives and going on a "hunt" to find the given shapes.

Shape Safari- 2-D and 3-D shapes:

This lesson uses an "I do, We do, You do" approach to identifying 2-D and 3-D shapes. The students will use sorting and searching to investigate the ways that shapes are alike and different. The students will also work whole group to collaborate and expand their understanding of the subject. This lesson is a great way to get students involved in their learning and to help foster a love of math. Included in the lesson is a Formative and Summative assessment to help monitor students' progress and understanding of the lesson.

Where's that shape? Where am I?:

The lesson focus will be a kinesthetic approach to understanding relative positions in the environment. The lesson begins with a critical input experience, as students move around their surrounding, looking for shapes around them. Basic shapes include circle, square, triangle, rectangle. Students will explore shapes in the real world setting. As the lesson progresses, students will learn to describe the position of objects in relation to their own bodies using positional language such as: left/right, in front of/behind, apart and above/below. The lesson will be followed by guided instruction portion using hands-on manipulatives to transfer learned skills. The learning sequence will conclude with an informal assessment of student understanding.

3D Shape Shifters:

This is a hands-on lesson that introduces and allows students to identify and build three-dimensional figures including rectangular prisms, square pyramids, and cubes. The students will also gain an understanding of what a vertex is, and how many vertices a given shape has.

Going On a Shape Hunt: Integrating Math and Literacy :

Integrating mathematics and literacy allows students to develop an understanding of the place of mathematics in their world. Students are introduced to the idea of shapes through a read-aloud session with an appropriate book. They then use models to learn the names of shapes, work together and individually to locate shapes in their real-world environment, practice spelling out the names of shapes they locate, and reflect in writing on the process. This lesson provides opportunities to engage students using many different learning modalities.

Shape Hunt:

Students will go on a shape hunt in the classroom or designated area. During the shape hunt, students will find real-world objects that can be modeled by two- and three-dimensional figures. After the shape hunt, students will use Timed-Pair-Share to explain to peers what objects they found and their relative positions.

Sorting Recycling:

In this MEA, students will sort recycling material based on the shape, name the shapes, and decide on what recycling bin would be the best for the city to choose. Students will write and draw a picture describing which recycling bin they chose.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Sports Equipment Store:

Students will help Mr. Bob Fitness choose a piece of sports equipment for his new store. Students will work with three-dimensional shapes and determine a procedure in choosing the equipment.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Teaching Ideas

Name Description
Shapes of Africa: In this lesson plan, students learn how to find shapes in their world using the children's book, A Triangle for Adaora by Ifeoma Onyefulu.
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.
Shape Hunt:

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

Video/Audio/Animations

Name Description
3D Shapes Video: This upbeat music video reviews 3D shapes including the sphere, cylinder, cube, cone, and pyramid. As each 3D shape is presented, examples of things we see every day that have the same shape are also shown for reinforcement.

(Length: 3:02)
The Shape Song:

This video features a sing-along song about shapes. The first half of this song is for preschoolers: circle, triangle, rectangle, square. The second half is for primary grade students: oval, diamond, heart, crescent, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, and octagon.

Virtual Manipulatives

Name Description
Math Match - Concepts Review Game: This interactive game allows students to review math concepts, including shapes, shape names, addition, multiplication, negative numbers, and equivalent expressions.
Shape Tool:

This virtual manipulative allows you to create, color, enlarge, shrink, rotate, reflect, slice, and glue geometric shapes, such as: squares, triangles, rhombi, trapezoids and hexagons.



Student Resources

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

Original Student Tutorials

Title Description
Sorting Shapes:

Learn to sort and identify two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes in this carnival-themed interactive tutorial.

Farm Baby Rescue Part 1: Up and Down Positions:

Relative positions include up and down, top and bottom, over, on, and under, and above and below. Learn different types of up and down positions to rescue eight chicks in this farm-themed, interactive tutorial. 

The Search for Shapes: Recognizing Rectangles and Squares:

Identify and name rectangles and squares based on their defining attributes, even if they have different sizes or positions. Join King Geo and his scout, Quad, as they search for rectangles and squares in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

The Search for Shapes: Exploring Hexagons:

Help find hexagons based on their defining attributes for King Geo in this interactive tutorial. Learn what makes a hexagon a hexagon.

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

The Search for Shapes: Tracking Triangles:

Track down triangles based on their defining attributes for King Geo in this interactive tutorial.  Learn what makes a triangle a triangle.

This is part of a series on the defining attributes of shapes. Click the links below.

Educational Games

Title Description
Is it 2D or 3D?: Score points by sorting 2D and 3D shapes into the correct basket as they fly by. Lose points if you answer incorrectly.
Match the 2D Shape:

Play the concentration game. Match the 2D shape to the correct name.

Virtual Manipulative

Title Description
Shape Tool:

This virtual manipulative allows you to create, color, enlarge, shrink, rotate, reflect, slice, and glue geometric shapes, such as: squares, triangles, rhombi, trapezoids and hexagons.



Parent Resources

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

Video/Audio/Animations

Title Description
3D Shapes Video: This upbeat music video reviews 3D shapes including the sphere, cylinder, cube, cone, and pyramid. As each 3D shape is presented, examples of things we see every day that have the same shape are also shown for reinforcement.

(Length: 3:02)
The Shape Song:

This video features a sing-along song about shapes. The first half of this song is for preschoolers: circle, triangle, rectangle, square. The second half is for primary grade students: oval, diamond, heart, crescent, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, and octagon.

Virtual Manipulative

Title Description
Shape Tool:

This virtual manipulative allows you to create, color, enlarge, shrink, rotate, reflect, slice, and glue geometric shapes, such as: squares, triangles, rhombi, trapezoids and hexagons.