Reveal Math Grade 2, Unit 12: Shapes and Equal Shares
In this unit, your child names and draws shapes by their features and splits shapes into equal shares. They count sides, angles, and faces; cover rectangles with rows of same-size squares; and name halves, thirds, and fourths. It builds on the year's measuring work and ends second grade by preparing for fractions in third grade.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 12?
- Identifying triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes by counting sides, angles, or faces, even when the shapes look unusual. Learn more: Naming triangles, hexagons, cubes, and more
- Splitting a rectangle into equal rows and columns of squares, and counting the squares to find how many in all. Learn more: Splitting a rectangle into rows of squares
- Dividing circles and rectangles into halves, thirds, and fourths, and seeing that the same shape can be split in different ways. Learn more: Halves, thirds, and fourths of 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
Which of these shapes has exactly three angles?
- Hexagon
- Triangle
- Square
How you can help
- Hunt for shapes on a walk or ride: count the sides on signs, windows, and doors. A yield sign has 3 sides, so it is a triangle.
- Draw a rectangle on paper and ask your child to split it into 2 rows of 4 same-size squares. Then ask how many squares there are in all.
- Ask your child to show where to cut a pancake or a tortilla into fourths. Talk about why every piece should be the same size.
Where kids can get stuck
- Losing count of sides by starting and stopping at different corners, counting one side twice.
- Leaving gaps between squares when splitting a rectangle, then counting as if it were fully covered.
- Believing that two halves cut different ways cannot both be halves of the same 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
- angle
- The corner where two sides of a shape meet.
- side
- One of the straight lines that make a flat shape.
- face
- A flat side of a solid shape. A cube has 6 faces.
- pentagon
- A flat shape with 5 sides and 5 angles.
- hexagon
- A flat shape with 6 sides and 6 angles.
- cube
- A solid shape with 6 square faces, like a number cube.
- equal shares
- Parts of a whole that are all 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 Reveal Math Grade 2 Unit 12 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 2 Unit 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.