enVision Mathematics Kindergarten, Topic 13: Analyze Compare and Create Shapes
In this unit, after learning shape names, your child looks closely at how shapes are built. Kindergartners count sides and corners, compare a square with a rectangle or a triangle, make shapes from straws or drawings, and put small shapes together to form larger ones. This careful noticing leads into the final unit, where children describe and compare objects by length, height, and weight.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 13?
- Comparing shapes by their parts, such as sides and corners, and saying how a square and a rectangle are alike and different. Learn more: Comparing shapes by their sides and corners
- Building shapes from straws, sticks, or clay and drawing them with straight sides that meet in sharp corners. Learn more: Building and drawing shapes
- Joining small shapes into larger ones, such as two triangles side to side making a rectangle, and turning pieces until they fit. Learn more: Putting shapes together to make new 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
How is a triangle different from a square?
- It has 3 sides
- It has 4 sides
- It is round
How you can help
- Build triangles and squares from straws or craft sticks on the table, and ask your child to count the sides and corners of each one.
- Fold a square sheet of paper in half corner to corner and open it, then talk about how two triangles fit together to make the square.
- Trace around the bottoms of cups, boxes, and blocks on paper, and let your child compare the shapes they make by their sides and corners.
Where kids can get stuck
- Drawing a triangle with rounded corners or curved sides instead of three straight sides.
- Thinking a square and a rectangle have nothing in common, missing that both have 4 sides and 4 corners.
- Trying one position, deciding the pieces do not fit, and giving up without turning or flipping 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
- side
- A straight line that makes part of a flat shape's edge.
- corner
- The point where two sides of a shape meet.
- square
- A flat shape with 4 equal sides and 4 square corners.
- rectangle
- A flat shape with 4 sides and 4 square corners.
- triangle
- A flat shape with 3 straight sides and 3 corners.
- build
- To make a shape from parts, such as sticks and clay.
- join
- To put shapes together so their sides touch all the way.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with comparing and building 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 13 cover?
enVision Mathematics Kindergarten Topic 13 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.