Virginia SOL 3.MG.4.e
The Standard
Classify and compare polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, octagons).
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will identify, describe, classify, compare, combine, and subdivide polygons.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify and name polygons by counting sides and vertices. They sort and compare triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons using shared and different properties.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly classify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons, even when examples are rotated or irregular. They compare two polygons using accurate statements about sides, vertices, and categories.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name shapes by appearance instead of counting sides and vertices. They may think rotated, stretched, or irregular polygons belong to a different group. They may also confuse side names, especially pentagon, hexagon, and octagon.
How to Assess It
- Give students six mixed polygon drawings. Ask them to name each polygon and write one comparison using sides, vertices, or shared properties.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs craft sticks to build named polygons, then have them sort the models by number of sides and vertices.
Show two different polygons and ask, “How are these alike and different?” Students write two comparisons using shape properties.
Play Polygon Sort Relay with cards showing regular, irregular, large, small, and rotated shapes placed under the correct side-count label.
Take a school shape walk, sketch four polygon examples, and label each by counting its sides and vertices.
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Printable 3.MG.4.e Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.MG.4.e, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 3.MG.4.c
Identify and describe triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons in various orientations, with and without contexts.
- 3.MG.4.b
Classify figures as polygons or not polygons and justify reasoning.
- 3.MG.4
The student will identify, describe, classify, compare, combine, and subdivide polygons.
- 3.MG.4.d
Identify and name examples of polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, octagons) in the environment.
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