Everyday Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 3: Patterns and Shapes
In this unit, your child names flat shapes like triangles, squares, and rectangles in the world around them, even when the shapes are turned or tilted. They learn position words, such as above, below, and beside, and begin to show adding and taking away with objects. After a unit on everyday numbers, this leads into comparing groups and numbers.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Finding shapes in everyday objects, and describing where things are with words like above, below, beside, and behind. Learn more: Spotting shapes and saying where things are
- Naming triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles correctly, whether they are big or small, tilted, or upside down. Learn more: Naming shapes turned any which way
- Showing adding and taking away with fingers, toys, or drawings, and acting out simple number stories. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
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 a shape hunt at home: find a rectangle in a door, a circle in a clock, and a triangle in a roof picture. Then tilt a book on its corner and ask if it is still a rectangle.
- Hide a stuffed animal and give clues with position words: "It's beside the couch and below a pillow." Then let your child hide it and give you the clues.
- Act out small stories with stuffed animals: 3 bears are at a party and 2 more come. How many now? Then 1 bear goes home. How many are left?
Where kids can get stuck
- Calling a square tilted on its corner a diamond, and insisting it is no longer a square.
- Mixing up beside and behind, so a chair next to the table is called behind it.
- Adding both numbers in a take-away story, even when some of the toys went away.
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
- triangle
- A flat shape with 3 straight sides and 3 corners.
- square
- A flat shape with 4 equal sides and 4 square corners.
- rectangle
- A flat shape with 4 straight sides and 4 square corners.
- circle
- A round, flat shape with no sides or corners.
- above
- Higher than something else.
- below
- Lower than something else.
- beside
- Right next to something, at its side.
- add
- To put groups together to find how many in all.
- take away
- To remove some things from a group.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with shapes and position words?
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 Everyday Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 3 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 3 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.