Unit 7, Lesson 6
Rectangles and Squares
Grade 1
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
Earlier in this section, students sorted shapes and described their attributes. In the previous lesson, students learned the defining attributes of triangles (all triangles have three straight sides and three corners).
In this lesson, students continue that work, this time with squares and rectangles. Students learn that a square is a special rectangle because it has the defining attributes of a rectangle (four straight sides and four square corners), but also has four sides of equal length. Students should be able to identify squares as rectangles, but they do not need to articulate a formal definition of a rectangle or a square.
- Action and Expression
- MLR7
- Draw (orally) examples and nonexamples of rectangles and squares.
- Generalize (orally and in writing) that the term “rectangle” refers to a flat shape with four straight sides and four square corners and that the term “square” refers to a rectangle with all sides that are the same length.
- Let’s explore what makes a shape a rectangle or a square.
Required Materials
Activity 1
Required Preparation
- Each group of 2 students needs a set of the flat shapes cards from a previous lesson.
- Each group of 2 students needs a set of the flat shapes cards from the previous activity.
Suggested Centers
NoneTeacher Reflection Questions
What evidence have students given that they can distinguish between defining and nondefining attributes?