enVision Mathematics Kindergarten, Topic 12: Identify and Describe Shapes
In this unit, your child turns to shapes. Kindergartners name circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and hexagons, along with solid shapes like cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres, and recognize them however they are turned or sized. Position words like beside, behind, and in front of come in too. After counting to 100, this is a fresh start, and next your child compares shapes and builds new ones.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 12?
- Naming the shapes they see in everyday objects, and telling where things are with words like beside, behind, and in front of. Learn more: Spotting shapes and saying where things are
- Recognizing a shape however it is turned or sized, such as a triangle pointing down or a tiny square on its corner. Learn more: Naming shapes turned any which way
- Sorting shapes into flat ones, called two-dimensional, like circles, and solid ones, called three-dimensional, like spheres. Learn more: Telling flat shapes from solid shapes
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 shape is a slice of pizza?
- Triangle
- Circle
- Square
How you can help
- Play 'I spy a shape' around the house, such as 'I spy a rectangle beside the sink,' and let your child find it and then give you a clue.
- Turn a paper triangle or square in different ways and ask your child whether it is still the same shape and how they know.
- Gather a ball, a can, a box, and a circle drawn on paper, and let your child sort them into flat and solid groups, naming each shape.
Where kids can get stuck
- Calling a square on its corner a diamond and saying it is no longer a square.
- Using 'beside' and 'behind' as if they mean the same, so a chair next to the table is 'behind' it.
- Rejecting a long, thin triangle because it does not look like the triangles in their books.
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
- two-dimensional
- Flat, like a shape drawn on paper; also called 2D.
- three-dimensional
- Solid, like a block you can hold; also called 3D.
- hexagon
- A flat shape with 6 straight sides and 6 corners.
- cylinder
- A solid shape with two round, flat ends, like a can.
- sphere
- A solid shape that is perfectly round, like a ball.
- beside
- Right at the side of something, like a cup beside a plate.
- behind
- At the back of something, hidden by it from the front.
- in front of
- Ahead of something, closer to the person looking.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with naming 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.
Join the club
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 Kindergarten Topic 12 cover?
enVision Mathematics Kindergarten Topic 12 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.