Lesson 4

The purpose of this lesson is for students to describe, compare, and sort shapes.

In this lesson, students are introduced to sorting shapes based on attributes. Students sort objects from the classroom as well as shapes they have worked with in previous lessons. Students describe attributes of shapes as they determine and explain which groups shapes should be sorted into. Because students are just starting to develop an understanding of shapes, students may say that three-dimensional objects look like a two-dimensional shape (for example, the clock looks like a circle.) This is fine for now, as students will learn about the difference between flat and solid shapes in a later unit. 

As students explore, observe how students sort the objects and shapes, and use geometric language to describe them (MP6).

Each group of 2 needs a set of shape cards from the previous lesson.

• Gather materials from:
  • Which One, Stage 1
  • Picture Books, Stages 1–3
  • Bingo, Stages 1 and 2
  • Shake and Spill, Stages 1 and 2

In grade 1, students distinguish between defining and non-defining (color, orientation, size) attributes of shapes. How does the work of this lesson lay the foundation for the work that students will do in grade 1?