MA.5.GR.1.1

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Classify triangles or quadrilaterals into different categories based on shared defining attributes. Explain why a triangle or quadrilateral would or would not belong to a category.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Triangles include scalene, isosceles, equilateral, acute, obtuse and right; quadrilaterals include parallelograms, rhombi, rectangles, squares and trapezoids.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 5
Strand: Geometric Reasoning
Standard: Classify two-dimensional figures and three-dimensional figures based on defining attributes.
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1200400: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 9-12 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012070: Grade Five Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7712060: Access Mathematics Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012065: Grade 4 Accelerated Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012015: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.5.GR.1.AP.1a: Sort triangles into different categories based on the size of their angles. Triangles include acute, obtuse and right.
MA.5.GR.1.AP.1b: Sort quadrilaterals into different categories based on shared defining attributes. Explore why a quadrilateral would or would not belong to a category. Quadrilaterals include parallelograms, rhombi, rectangles, squares and trapezoids.

Related Resources

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

Formative Assessments

Classifying Shapes:

Students are asked to classify quadrilaterals and trapezoids by their properties.

Type: Formative Assessment

Shape Clues:

Using shape attribute clues, the student will determine shapes that fit these clues and describe a category to which they both belong.

Type: Formative Assessment

Where Do They Belong:

Students are asked to sort shapes using a Venn diagram and to determine the label for each section of the diagram.

Type: Formative Assessment

Guess My Shape:

Using shape attribute clues, the student is asked to determine two shapes that fit these clues and describe a category to which both belong.

Type: Formative Assessment

Grouping Triangles:

Students are shown three triangles that fit a rule (each has a right angle) and are asked to determine which of three other triangles also fit the rule.

Type: Formative Assessment

Classifying Squares:

Students discuss the attributes of squares and rhombuses and consider how these two shapes are related.

Type: Formative Assessment

Classifying Quadrilaterals:

Students are given a diagram of quadrilaterals that have been sorted and are asked to determine how the shapes were sorted. Then, students are given two additional quadrilaterals and asked to place them into the appropriate region on the diagram.

Type: Formative Assessment

What Do You Know About Rectangles?:

Students are asked to describe the defining attributes of parallelograms and to consider the relationship between rectangles and parallelograms.

Type: Formative Assessment

Trapezoids:

Students are asked to consider how the hierarchy of quadrilaterals would change based on the two different definitions of trapezoids.

Type: Formative Assessment

Sketching Triangles:

Students are asked to use shape descriptions to sketch shapes and explain why some cannot be sketched.

Type: Formative Assessment

Image/Photograph

Clipart: Geometric Shapes:

In this lesson, you will find clip art and various illustrations of polygons, circles, ellipses, star polygons, and inscribed shapes.

Type: Image/Photograph

Lesson Plans

Polygon Park:

In this lesson students will use standards-based quadrilaterals and triangles to design a roller coaster tower. Students will use the Engineering Design Process to work through the processes in this lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

Go TRI a Kite!:

In this lesson, students will identify and classify triangles. In addition, students will demonstrate how to solve problems requiring attention to approximation, selection of appropriate measuring tools, and precision of measurement using triangles.

Type: Lesson Plan

Calling All Quads!:

In this lesson, students will practice classifying and naming quadrilaterals. Students will take notes and use the notes to complete a quadrilaterals Venn diagram. Students will be asked to name and classify quadrilaterals using all applicable names.

Type: Lesson Plan

Where in the Venn are the Quadrilaterals?:

"Where in the Venn are the Quadrilaterals?" is an activity that helps the student to develop a better understanding of classifying two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

Type: Lesson Plan

A Closer Look at Quadrilaterals - The Parallelogram Connection:

Students work together as a class and in small groups to classify quadrilaterals.

Type: Lesson Plan

Quadrilaterals using Unit Origami - Sonobe Cube:

This lesson can be used as an introduction - unit attention grabber- or as a final review on quadrilaterals. As the class forms a Sonobe cube, the different quadrilaterals are formed with each new fold. Included is a Power Point introduction with instructions, a video I made demonstrating how to fold the unit origami design, a video of my introduction lesson  to quadrilaterals and 2 worksheets which accompany the lesson. I enjoy doing this activity each year and am amazed at all the prior knowledge the students have retained as the lesson proceeds.

Type: Lesson Plan

Triangles are Plane Easy:

The student will be engaged in a paper plane making activity while discovering the attributes of different triangles. The students will learned the similarities and differences of the following triangles: scalene, isosceles, equilateral, right, obtuse, and acute.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Trapezoids Part 6:

Explore the defining attributes of trapezoids--a special type of quadrilateral--and classify them using diagrams in this interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how two different definitions for a trapezoid can change affect classifications of quadrilaterals. 

This part 6 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Part 1: "Figuring Out" 2D Figures

Part 2: Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams

Part 3: Classifying Triangles by Angles Using Euler Diagrams

Part 4: Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams

Part 5: Quadrilaterals

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Quadrilaterals - Part 5:

Learn how to classify quadrilaterals--including parallelograms, rectangles, rhombi, and squares--based on their defining attributes using diagrams in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 5 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams – Part 2:

Learn how to show relationships represented in Venn & Euler Diagrams as you complete this interactive geometry tutorial.

This is part two of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams – Part 4:

Learn how triangles can be sorted and classified using side lengths and angle measures in this interactive tutorial.

This is the final tutorial in a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Classifying Triangles by Angles using Euler Diagrams – Part 3:

Learn to classify triangles and use Euler diagrams to show relationships, in this interactive tutorial.

This is part-three of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

"Figuring Out" 2D Figures - Part 1:

Explore 2D (two-dimensional) figures and see how every 2D figure possesses unique attributes in this interactive tutorial.

This is part one of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Lines of symmetry for triangles:

This activity provides students an opportunity to recognize these distinguishing features of the different types of triangles before the technical language has been introduced. For finding the lines of symmetry, cut-out models of the four triangles would be helpful so that the students can fold them to find the lines.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Lines of symmetry for quadrilaterals:

This task provides students a chance to experiment with reflections of the plane and their impact on specific types of quadrilaterals. It is both interesting and important that these types of quadrilaterals can be distinguished by their lines of symmetry.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Are these right?:

The purpose of this task is for students to measure angles and decide whether the triangles are right or not. Students should already understand concepts of angle measurement  and know how to measure angles using a protractor before working on this task.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Teaching Idea

An Introduction To Quadrilaterals:

This lesson is designed to introduce students to quadrilaterals and the terms and properties associated with quadrilaterals. This lesson provides links to discussions and activities related to quadrilaterals as well as suggested ways to integrate them into the lesson. Finally, the lesson provides links to follow-up lessons designed for use in succession with the current one.

Type: Teaching Idea

Tutorials

Categorizing Geometric Shapes: Practice Examples:

This Khan Academy tutorial video presents examples and explanations for categorizations of perpendicular sides and right, obtuse, and acute triangles.

Type: Tutorial

Examples of Triangle Categories:

In this Khan Academy tutorial video triangles are categorized by angles or side lengths of a specified size.

Type: Tutorial

Quadrilateral Overview:

This Khan Academy tutorial video introduces quadrilaterals. their categories, and subcategories.

Type: Tutorial

MFAS Formative Assessments

Classifying Quadrilaterals:

Students are given a diagram of quadrilaterals that have been sorted and are asked to determine how the shapes were sorted. Then, students are given two additional quadrilaterals and asked to place them into the appropriate region on the diagram.

Classifying Shapes:

Students are asked to classify quadrilaterals and trapezoids by their properties.

Classifying Squares:

Students discuss the attributes of squares and rhombuses and consider how these two shapes are related.

Grouping Triangles:

Students are shown three triangles that fit a rule (each has a right angle) and are asked to determine which of three other triangles also fit the rule.

Guess My Shape:

Using shape attribute clues, the student is asked to determine two shapes that fit these clues and describe a category to which both belong.

Shape Clues:

Using shape attribute clues, the student will determine shapes that fit these clues and describe a category to which they both belong.

Sketching Triangles:

Students are asked to use shape descriptions to sketch shapes and explain why some cannot be sketched.

Trapezoids:

Students are asked to consider how the hierarchy of quadrilaterals would change based on the two different definitions of trapezoids.

What Do You Know About Rectangles?:

Students are asked to describe the defining attributes of parallelograms and to consider the relationship between rectangles and parallelograms.

Where Do They Belong:

Students are asked to sort shapes using a Venn diagram and to determine the label for each section of the diagram.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5

"Figuring Out" 2D Figures - Part 1:

Explore 2D (two-dimensional) figures and see how every 2D figure possesses unique attributes in this interactive tutorial.

This is part one of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Classifying Triangles by Angles using Euler Diagrams – Part 3:

Learn to classify triangles and use Euler diagrams to show relationships, in this interactive tutorial.

This is part-three of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams – Part 4:

Learn how triangles can be sorted and classified using side lengths and angle measures in this interactive tutorial.

This is the final tutorial in a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams – Part 2:

Learn how to show relationships represented in Venn & Euler Diagrams as you complete this interactive geometry tutorial.

This is part two of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Quadrilaterals - Part 5:

Learn how to classify quadrilaterals--including parallelograms, rectangles, rhombi, and squares--based on their defining attributes using diagrams in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 5 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Trapezoids Part 6:

Explore the defining attributes of trapezoids--a special type of quadrilateral--and classify them using diagrams in this interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how two different definitions for a trapezoid can change affect classifications of quadrilaterals. 

This part 6 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Part 1: "Figuring Out" 2D Figures

Part 2: Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams

Part 3: Classifying Triangles by Angles Using Euler Diagrams

Part 4: Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams

Part 5: Quadrilaterals

Student Resources

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

Original Student Tutorials

Trapezoids Part 6:

Explore the defining attributes of trapezoids--a special type of quadrilateral--and classify them using diagrams in this interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how two different definitions for a trapezoid can change affect classifications of quadrilaterals. 

This part 6 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Part 1: "Figuring Out" 2D Figures

Part 2: Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams

Part 3: Classifying Triangles by Angles Using Euler Diagrams

Part 4: Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams

Part 5: Quadrilaterals

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Quadrilaterals - Part 5:

Learn how to classify quadrilaterals--including parallelograms, rectangles, rhombi, and squares--based on their defining attributes using diagrams in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 5 in a 6-part series. Click below to explore the other tutorials in the series. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring Relationships with Venn & Euler Diagrams – Part 2:

Learn how to show relationships represented in Venn & Euler Diagrams as you complete this interactive geometry tutorial.

This is part two of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Classifying Triangles by Sides & Angles Using Venn and Euler Diagrams – Part 4:

Learn how triangles can be sorted and classified using side lengths and angle measures in this interactive tutorial.

This is the final tutorial in a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Classifying Triangles by Angles using Euler Diagrams – Part 3:

Learn to classify triangles and use Euler diagrams to show relationships, in this interactive tutorial.

This is part-three of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

"Figuring Out" 2D Figures - Part 1:

Explore 2D (two-dimensional) figures and see how every 2D figure possesses unique attributes in this interactive tutorial.

This is part one of four. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Lines of symmetry for triangles:

This activity provides students an opportunity to recognize these distinguishing features of the different types of triangles before the technical language has been introduced. For finding the lines of symmetry, cut-out models of the four triangles would be helpful so that the students can fold them to find the lines.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Lines of symmetry for quadrilaterals:

This task provides students a chance to experiment with reflections of the plane and their impact on specific types of quadrilaterals. It is both interesting and important that these types of quadrilaterals can be distinguished by their lines of symmetry.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Are these right?:

The purpose of this task is for students to measure angles and decide whether the triangles are right or not. Students should already understand concepts of angle measurement  and know how to measure angles using a protractor before working on this task.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Tutorials

Categorizing Geometric Shapes: Practice Examples:

This Khan Academy tutorial video presents examples and explanations for categorizations of perpendicular sides and right, obtuse, and acute triangles.

Type: Tutorial

Examples of Triangle Categories:

In this Khan Academy tutorial video triangles are categorized by angles or side lengths of a specified size.

Type: Tutorial

Quadrilateral Overview:

This Khan Academy tutorial video introduces quadrilaterals. their categories, and subcategories.

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

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

Image/Photograph

Clipart: Geometric Shapes:

In this lesson, you will find clip art and various illustrations of polygons, circles, ellipses, star polygons, and inscribed shapes.

Type: Image/Photograph

Problem-Solving Tasks

Lines of symmetry for triangles:

This activity provides students an opportunity to recognize these distinguishing features of the different types of triangles before the technical language has been introduced. For finding the lines of symmetry, cut-out models of the four triangles would be helpful so that the students can fold them to find the lines.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Lines of symmetry for quadrilaterals:

This task provides students a chance to experiment with reflections of the plane and their impact on specific types of quadrilaterals. It is both interesting and important that these types of quadrilaterals can be distinguished by their lines of symmetry.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Are these right?:

The purpose of this task is for students to measure angles and decide whether the triangles are right or not. Students should already understand concepts of angle measurement  and know how to measure angles using a protractor before working on this task.

Type: Problem-Solving Task