CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.A.2
The standard
Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Geometry
What this standard means
Students need to name basic shapes even when they look different from the usual examples. A triangle is still a triangle when it is turned sideways. A square is still a square when it is small, large, tilted, or shown in a picture.
Mastery means students sort and name shapes by their features, not by color, size, or position. They should recognize flat shapes and solid shapes in more than one orientation. Common trouble spots are calling tilted squares diamonds, naming rectangles as squares, and mixing up cylinders, cones, and spheres.
Ways to teach it
- Give students foam or paper shapes in many sizes and rotations, then ask them to sort and name each pile.
- Ask, “How do you know this is still a triangle?” and have students point to sides and corners as evidence.
- Hold up five shape cards quickly, including tilted shapes, and have students whisper the name before explaining one choice.
- Take a classroom shape walk and have students find real objects shaped like rectangles, circles, cylinders, cones, and spheres.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.A.2
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Related standards
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