enVision Mathematics Grade 1, Topic 14: Reason with Shapes and Attributes
In this unit, first graders finish the year by reasoning with shapes. They sort shapes by their attributes, or features, like the number of sides and vertices, the corners. They build new shapes from smaller ones and split shapes into equal shares called halves and fourths. It follows the last unit on time, where they already saw a clock face split in half.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 14?
- Sorting shapes by the attributes that matter, like number of sides and vertices, and ignoring ones that don't, like color or size. Learn more: What makes a triangle a triangle
- Building a bigger shape from smaller ones, like a hexagon from triangles, and seeing the new shape that's been made. Learn more: Building bigger shapes from smaller ones
- Splitting circles and rectangles into two or four equal shares, and naming them halves, fourths, and quarters. Learn more: Halves and quarters of circles and rectangles
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
What must be true for a shape to be a triangle?
- It must have 3 straight sides.
- It must be blue.
- It must be big.
How you can help
- Look for shapes on a walk, like a triangle on a sign or a rectangle in a window, and ask how many sides and vertices each one has.
- Cut a few paper squares into triangles and invite your child to fit them together into new shapes. Ask them to name what they made.
- Fold a paper napkin into halves and then fourths, and ask how they know the parts are equal. Ask whether a half or a fourth would be the bigger share.
Where kids can get stuck
- Rejecting a long, thin triangle because it doesn't look like the usual one.
- Overlapping shapes or leaving gaps, then being unsure what new shape was made.
- Calling two unequal pieces halves just because there are two of them.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- attribute
- A feature of a shape, like how many sides or corners it has.
- side
- A straight line that makes part of a shape's edge.
- vertex
- A corner, where two sides of a shape meet.
- two-dimensional
- Flat, like a drawing of a square or circle.
- three-dimensional
- Solid, like a box or a ball, which you can hold.
- equal shares
- Parts of a whole that are all the same size.
- half
- One of two equal parts of a whole.
- fourth
- One of four equal parts of a whole, also called a quarter.
- quarter
- Another name for a fourth, one of four equal parts.
Want to help your child master shapes?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does enVision Mathematics Grade 1 Topic 14 cover?
enVision Mathematics Grade 1 Topic 14 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.