Maryland Math 5.GR.B.3.b

Math5th GradeGeometric Reasoning and Measurement

The Standard

Classify quadrilaterals in a hierarchy based on properties (e.g., side lengths, angle measures, presence of parallel or perpendicular sides).

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · CLASSIFY TWO-DIMENSIONAL FIGURES BASED ON PROPERTIES.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students check side lengths, angles, and parallel sides to sort quadrilaterals. They give each shape every name that fits, from broad groups to specific ones.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student names a square as a rectangle, rhombus, and parallelogram. They use equal sides, right angles, and parallel side pairs to explain each name.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a square cannot be a rectangle because its sides are all equal. They may think a tilted rectangle is not a rectangle, or call a rhombus a square without checking its angles.
How to Assess It: Draw a tilted square with equal-side and right-angle marks. Ask students to circle every name that fits, square, rectangle, rhombus, or parallelogram, and justify two choices.

Lesson moves

Give pairs shape cards and overlapping rectangle and rhombus circles inside a parallelogram circle; have them place each card and explain where squares go.
Ask, 'Can a square be both a rectangle and a rhombus?' Have students defend their answer using sides and angles.
Draw four quadrilaterals on the board; students write every fitting name on mini whiteboards and point to the properties that support each name.
Show a square floor tile and a rectangular window frame; students check sides and angles, then list every shape name that fits.

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