Into Math Grade 1, Unit 7: Geometry
In this unit, your child studies shapes: what makes a triangle a triangle, how small shapes combine into bigger ones, and how to cut circles and rectangles into equal halves and fourths. After the measurement and data unit, this closes the first grade year and gets children ready for fractions in later grades.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 7?
- Sorting shapes by defining attributes, like straight sides and closed edges, and knowing color, size, and turning do not change the name. Learn more: What makes a triangle a triangle
- Composing, or putting together, flat shapes and solid shapes to make larger shapes, like two half-circles into a circle. Learn more: Building bigger shapes from smaller ones
- Dividing circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, called halves and fourths, and seeing that more shares means smaller shares. 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
- Cut paper shapes with your child, like triangles and squares, and see what new shapes you can make by putting two or three together.
- Share a tortilla or round cracker in equal halves, then fourths. Ask your child which piece is bigger, a half or a fourth.
- Play I Spy with shapes at home: "I spy something with 4 sides and 4 square corners." Take turns choosing the shape.
Where kids can get stuck
- Calling a long, thin triangle not a real triangle, because it does not look like the usual picture.
- Saying a shape cut into two unequal parts shows halves, without checking that the parts match.
- Calling a rectangle a square, without checking that all 4 sides are equal.
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 up part of a shape's edge.
- vertex
- A corner, the point where two sides meet. More than one are vertices.
- closed shape
- A shape whose sides all connect, with no gaps or openings.
- compose
- Put shapes together to make a new, bigger shape.
- equal shares
- Parts of a whole that are all exactly the same size.
- half
- One of 2 equal shares of a whole.
- fourth
- One of 4 equal shares of a whole, also called a quarter.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with shapes and equal parts?
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 Into Math Grade 1 Unit 7 cover?
Into Math Grade 1 Unit 7 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.