Into Math Kindergarten, Unit 7: Two- and Three-Dimensional Shapes
In this unit, your child names flat and solid shapes in the world around them; describes where things are with position words; compares shapes by their sides and corners; and builds, draws, and joins shapes to make new ones. It follows a unit on bigger numbers and leads into measuring and sorting, the last topics of the year.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 7?
- Spotting shapes in everyday objects, and using position words like above, below, beside, in front of, and behind. Learn more: Spotting shapes and saying where things are
- Naming squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, and hexagons, whatever their size and however they are turned. Learn more: Naming shapes turned any which way
- Sorting shapes into flat ones, like a drawn square, and solid ones, like a cube, cone, or sphere. Learn more: Telling flat shapes from solid shapes
- Describing how two shapes are alike and different by counting their sides, corners, or flat faces. Learn more: Comparing shapes by their sides and corners
- Building shapes from straws and clay, and drawing them with straight sides that meet at the corners. Learn more: Building and drawing shapes
- Joining small shapes, such as two triangles, to make a larger shape like a square or rectangle. 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
What shape is a slice of pizza?
- Triangle
- Circle
- Square
How you can help
- Turn a walk into a shape hunt. Spot rectangles in windows, circles in wheels, and cylinders in poles, then say where each one is: above you, beside the path, or behind a tree.
- Build shapes with straws and play dough for the corners. Make a triangle and a square, then count the sides and corners of each one aloud.
- Draw a rectangle, then draw one line from corner to corner. Ask your child what two shapes they see now and how many sides each one has.
Where kids can get stuck
- Calling a soup can a circle, naming its flat end instead of the solid shape.
- Rejecting a triangle that points down because it does not look like the usual triangle.
- Building a square from four straws of different lengths and still calling it a square.
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
- flat
- A shape you can draw on paper, like a square or circle.
- solid
- A shape you can hold, like a ball, box, or can.
- hexagon
- A flat shape with 6 straight sides and 6 corners.
- cube
- A solid shape with 6 square faces, like a toy block.
- sphere
- A solid shape that is round like a ball.
- cylinder
- A solid shape like a can, with two round flat ends.
- side
- One of the straight lines that make up a flat shape.
- corner
- A point where two sides of a shape meet.
- above
- Higher than something else.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with flat and solid 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 Into Math Kindergarten Unit 7 cover?
Into Math Kindergarten 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.