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Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) or three-dimensional (“solid”).
Standard #: MAFS.K.G.1.3Archived Standard
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: K
Domain-Subdomain: Geometry
Cluster: Level 1: Recall
Cluster: Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres). (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
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Related Courses
Related Resources
Educational Games
  • 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.
  • 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
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. 
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
Original Student Tutorial
  • Sorting Shapes # Learn to sort and identify two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes in this carnival-themed interactive tutorial.
Teaching Idea
  • Shape Hunt # To give students opportunities to recognize, describe, build, and explore shapes in many different contexts.
Video/Audio/Animation
  • 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)
Virtual Manipulative
  • 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.
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
  • 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
MFAS Formative Assessments
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5
  • Sorting Shapes # Learn to sort and identify two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes in this carnival-themed interactive tutorial.
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