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🔺 1st grade math · Shapes & Space

What makes a shape

A defining attribute is something every one of that shape has. A triangle has 3 sides. Red is not a defining attribute.

Worked example

Which one tells you a shape is a square? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
Answer: It has 4 sides that are all the same length.
A defining attribute is something every square must have: it has 4 sides that are all the same length. Color, size and how a shape is turned can change, and it is still a square.

For grown-ups: Defining vs. non-defining attributes. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 1.G.A.1
What this practises, for teachers

Practices defining vs. non-defining attributes (1.G.A.1). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

Try three

  1. Which one tells you a shape is a square? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: It has 4 sides that are all the same length.
    A defining attribute is something every square must have: it has 4 sides that are all the same length. Color, size and how a shape is turned can change, and it is still a square.
  2. Which one tells you a shape is a rectangle? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: It has 4 sides and 4 square corners.
    A defining attribute is something every rectangle must have: it has 4 sides and 4 square corners. Color, size and how a shape is turned can change, and it is still a rectangle.
  3. Which shape has 5 sides? Ignore the colors and sizes.
    ABC
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Picture B
    Count the sides of each shape. Only the pentagon has 5 sides.

Before and after

Learn first: Build with shapes (K)

Comes next: Count sides and corners (2nd)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

What makes a shape (1st grade)

  1. Which one tells you a shape is a pentagon? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  2. Which one tells you a shape is a rectangle? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  3. Which one tells you a shape is a hexagon? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  4. Which one tells you a shape is a triangle? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  5. Which one tells you a shape is a rectangle? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  6. Which one tells you a shape is a hexagon? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  7. Which one tells you a shape is a square? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  8. Which one tells you a shape is a rectangle? A shape keeps its name when its color or size changes.
  9. A triangle can be any color or size. How many sides must a triangle have?
  10. A triangle can be any color or size. How many sides must a triangle have?
  11. Which shape has 5 sides? Ignore the colors and sizes.
    ABC
  12. A pentagon can be any color or size. How many sides must a pentagon have?

Answer key

  1. It has 5 sides.
  2. It has 4 sides and 4 square corners.
  3. It has 6 sides.
  4. It has 3 sides.
  5. It has 4 sides and 4 square corners.
  6. It has 6 sides.
  7. It has 4 sides that are all the same length.
  8. It has 4 sides and 4 square corners.
  9. 3
  10. 3
  11. Picture B
  12. 5

More 1st grade skills: all 1st grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.