Unit SummaryDownload

Primary Standards:

MAFS.2.G.1.1 Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces.  Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes.

Content Knowledge: 

2nd graders will continue their previous work from 1st grade with geometric figures, specifically moving towards using defining attributes to both identify and draw/create shapes. They will build upon their understanding that orientation and/or size does not affect the designation of a shape, rather the attributes should be used to determine what a shape could be named, e.g. I see both these shapes have 3 corners/vertices and 3 sides, even though one is big and one is small, they are both still triangles. The goal in early geometry experiences is that students understand the attributes that define a shape (e.g. triangles are flat, 2D shapes with 3 sides and 3 corners/vertices). Triangles do not all “look” the same, but they do all have these attributes. At 2nd grade, it is not the goal of the standards to list definitions of shapes and shape categories. Students should experience hands-on activities and math discussions that gradually refine their understanding about shapes through opportunities to visualize, sort, compare, and reflect on two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. When creating shapes, students may be given one or more attributes, or names of shapes such as triangle, quadrilateral, square, etc. Though it is not the goal of the standard that students know all shape names at this grade level, students should work with names such as those listed in the standard and may begin to experience others, such as rectangle.

GCG 1 – Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I can Explore and define shapes

  • Step 1: Sort shapes and explain the sort
  • Step 2: Identify attributes used to sort or define shapes
  • Step 3: Identify shapes that possess a given attribute

GCG 2 – Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I can Create and name two-dimensional shapes

  • Step 1: Draw or model shapes with a given attribute
  • Step 2: Identify and name triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, and hexagons
  • Step 3: Compose and decompose polygons to make new shapes

GCG 3 – Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I can Describe three-dimensional shapes

  • Step 1: Recognize and describe the difference between 2-D and 3-D shapes
  • Step 2: Recognize faces of 3-D shapes as 2-D shapes
  • Step 3: Identify and describe all attributes of a cube