Standard #: MA.K.GR.1.2


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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.


Examples


A triangle can be compared to a rectangle by stating that they both have straight sides, but a triangle has 3 sides and vertices, and a rectangle has 4 sides and vertices.

Clarifications


Clarification 1: Instruction includes exploring figures in a variety of sizes and orientations.

Clarification 2: Instruction focuses on using informal language to describe relative positions and the similarities or differences between figures when comparing and sorting.



General Information

Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: K
Strand: Geometric Reasoning
Standard: Identify, compare and compose two- and three-dimensional figures.
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

 

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

  • Circle
  • Rectangle
  • Square 
  • Triangle

 

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

 

Next Benchmarks

 

 

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

The purpose of this benchmark is for students to build on their understanding of classification of two-dimensional figures by finding similarities and differences between shapes (MTR.5.1). 
  • Instruction includes opportunities for students to sort images based on various criteria, such as same number of sides, and figures with all straight sides (MTR.2.1, MTR.5.1). 
  • Instruction includes helping students describe objects based on relative positions. Relative position refers to students identifying left/right, in front of/behind, apart and above/below. When comparing figures students should understand that relative position can change even though the other features of the figures stay the same. 
  • Instruction includes figures of various sizes and orientations, and may include figures that are not triangles, circles, rectangles or squares (MTR.2.1). 
  • Instruction includes examples of squares when discussing rectangles. 
  • Right angles are technically not addressed until grade 4, but it is appropriate to discuss “square corners” and corners that are not square in an informal way in Kindergarten.

 

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students may not understand that all squares are also classified as rectangles; however, only specific rectangles (with sides that are the same length) are also classified as squares. 
  • Students may sort figures separately because of orientation and/or size rather than the identified attributes of the figures.

 

Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction

  • Teacher provides plane shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) for students to sort. 
    • For example, instruction includes sorting shapes by how they are the same or by how they are different. The teacher asks follow up questions such as, “How did you decide to sort the shapes? How many sides does this group have?” 

Sorting mat with different shapes

 

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 (MTR.2.1, MTR.4.1) 

Using the figures below, create sorting cards for students. Provide each student in a group with their own set of figures to sort. Ask each student to sort the figures in any way they choose. Once students have sorted their figures, give each student time to share about their choices, and explain how they sorted their figures (by shape, straight sides and circles, filled and not filled or number of sides). Once students have shared, ask them to sort their figures in a new way. Give time for sorting and sharing again. Repeat the task as needed. 

black and white shapes

 

Instructional Task 2 

Identify which of the figures below are rectangles and describe their relative positions.

blue figures

 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1 

Cross out all of the figures that have 4 sides. 

black and white figures

 

Instructional Item 2 

How many figures have straight sides? 

black and white figures

 

*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.


Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
5012020: Grade Kindergarten Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7712015: Access Mathematics - Grade Kindergarten (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012005: Foundational Skills in Mathematics K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
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).


Related Resources

Formative Assessments

Name Description
How Are These Shapes Alike?

Students compare and contrast two shapes based on their attributes.

Compare Rectangles and Triangles

Students compare a triangle to a rectangle based on attributes of these figures.

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Exploring Machine Learning to Train an AI Model

Students will explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and pretrain a model to recognize and identify objects, including geometric shapes and aircraft. They will used unplugged activities to mimic sorting and classification of the objects using their prior knowledge and then make connections to human learning and Machine Learning. Students will then problem solve and propose solutions using an iterative process to improve the ML model to better recognize the objects. This lesson is an integrated Computer Science, Science and Math lesson designed for students in K-2 to apply math and science content knowledge while exploring and using computational thinking like people in Computer Science careers do.

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.

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.

Original Student Tutorials

Name Description
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: 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.

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.

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Name Description
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.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorials

Name Description
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: 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.

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.



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