Cluster Standards

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Visit the specific benchmark webpage to find related instructional resources.

MA.K.GR.1.1 : Identify two- and three-dimensional figures regardless of their size or orientation. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.2 : Compare two-dimensional figures based on their similarities, differences and positions. Sort two-dimensional figures based on their similarities and differences. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles and squares.
MA.K.GR.1.3 : Compare three-dimensional figures based on their similarities, differences and positions. Sort three-dimensional figures based on their similarities and differences. Figures are limited to spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.4 : Find real-world objects that can be modeled by a given two- or three-dimensional figure. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.5 : Combine two-dimensional figures to form a given composite figure. Figures used to form a composite shape are limited to triangles, rectangles and squares.

Cluster Information

Number:

MA.K.GR.1

Title:

Identify, compare and compose two- and three-dimensional figures.

Type:

Standard

Subject:

Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)

Grade:

K

Strand

Geometric Reasoning

Cluster Access Points

This cluster includes the following Access Points.

MA.K.GR.1.AP.1 : Identify two- and three-dimensional figures regardless of their size. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.AP.2a : Sort two-dimensional figures based on their similarities. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles and squares.
MA.K.GR.1.AP.2b : Use informal spatial language to describe the relative positions of two-dimensional figures (e.g., above, below, beside, next to, under).
MA.K.GR.1.AP.3a : Sort three-dimensional figures based on their similarities. Figures are limited to spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.AP.3b : Use informal spatial language to describe the relative positions of three-dimensional figures (e.g., above, below, beside, next to, under).
MA.K.GR.1.AP.4 : Explore real-world objects that can be modeled by a given two- or three-dimensional figure. Figures are limited to circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders.
MA.K.GR.1.AP.5 : Recognize that a different figure can be formed by combining two smaller two-dimensional figures. Figures used to form a composite shape are limited to triangles, rectangles and squares.

Cluster Resources

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

Original Student Tutorials

Saving the Spheres: A Real-World Case: Help Detective Findsa Lottashapes search the city to find any real-world objects that can be modeled by a sphere before they are snatched by Lady Stealstoo Much in this 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.
Circus Fun: The Search for Circles: Learn the attributes, or characteristics, of a circle in this 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: Tracking Triangles"
- The Search for Shapes: Recognizing Rectangles and Squares"
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.
- "The Search for Shapes: Tracking Triangles"
- The Search for Shapes: Recognizing Rectangles and Squares"
Briana's Shape Playground: Learn how to identify the similarities and differences in the number of sides of two-dimensional shapes in this interactive tutorial.

Formative Assessments

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.
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.
Modeling the Shape of the Door: Students draw the outline of the door.
Model the Shapes: Students look at two photographs taken at a school and choose a shape from one of the photographs to model or draw.
Locations of Shapes: Students examine two photographs taken in a classroom and identify and name shapes whose locations are described with words.
Identify the Shapes: Students determine whether a shape is a circle, triangle, rectangle or square.
How Are These Shapes Alike?: Students compare and contrast two shapes based on their attributes.
Compose a Rectangle: Students join two right triangles together to compose a rectangle.
Can You Make a Rectangle?: Students are asked to make a rectangle using only squares.
Compare Rectangles and Triangles: Students compare a triangle to a rectangle based on attributes of these figures.
Compose a Square: Students join small squares together to compose a larger square and then justify the new shape.

Lesson Plans

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!: This lesson is designed to explore the attributes of rectangles using a variety of examples in different sizes, orientations, and colors and non-examples that lack one or more defining attributes of a rectangle.
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.
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.
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 the Shapes: In this lesson, students will learn to identify, describe, and sort two-dimensional shapes (circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares) through music, movement, and hands-on exploration.
ShapeBot: In this hands-on lesson, students will be challenged to demonstrate their understanding of shapes to combine smaller two-dimensional shapes to form larger composite shapes. The lesson culminates with students using triangles, rectangles, and squares to form a "robot".
Shape Up!: In this lesson students will compare two-dimensional shapes to other two- dimensional shapes (circle, square, triangle, and rectangle) and three-dimensional shapes to other three-dimensional shapes (cone, cylinder, sphere, cube) by differentiating them according to attributes. Students describe attributes of shapes by exploring real world objects.
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.
Every Group Counts!: The students will be working in whole group, small group and individually to discover measurable attributes of objects and sort the objects into categories. Students will also count and compare the number of objects in each category.
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 It All Out: In this lesson, kindergarten students will learn to sort objects familiar to them by different attributes. They will justify their decisions for classification when objects have more than one similar characteristic.
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

Perspectives Video: Teaching Ideas

3D Figures: This video explores how young students develop understanding of three-dimensional figures by handling, describing, and interacting with them. It emphasizes using real-world connections and multiple modalities, such as tracing, speaking, and labeling, to help students name and describe figures like cubes, cones, and cylinders. The video also highlights the importance of exposing students to three-dimensional figures in a variety of sizes, colors, and orientations to prevent misconceptions.
Connecting Geometry to Numbers: Unlock an effective teaching strategy for connecting geometry and numbers in order to build number sense in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.