Students in 1st and 2nd grade work to learn about measuring length to the nearest whole unit. They learn to use measurement tools that measure in repeated units that are equal in length, laid out like a number line on rulers, tape measures, and yard or meter stick. Students are also introduced to the most common metric and customary measurement units: centimeters, meters, inches, feet, and yards. 3rd graders further develop their understanding of measurement by incorporating their growing knowledge of fractions and use of the four operations to solve problems involving measurement units ..read more

In 3rd grade, students are learning to measure length in fraction units. This skill combined with understanding perimeter and the attributes of 2-dimensional shapes set the stage for early experiences measuring area. MA.3.GR.2.1 – Explore area as an attribute of a two-dimensional figure by covering the figure with unit squares without gaps or overlaps. Find areas of rectangles by counting unit squares.  MA.3.GR.2.2 – Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths using a visual model and a multiplication formula.    Measuring Area Area is the 2-dimensional ..read more

The perimeter of a shape is the length of the lines that form its sides. Since 3rd graders measure the perimeter of polygons, they will identify the length of intersecting line segments. MA.3.GR.2.3 – Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving the perimeter and area of rectangles with whole-number side lengths using a visual model and a formula.  Dimensions of Measurement Perimeter is a 1-dimensional measurement of length. It provides a good foundation to build an understanding of the 2-dimensional measurement of area in 3rd and 4th grade. In 5th grade, students work wit ..read more

Symmetry is a geometric attribute where a shape or object contains one or more mirror images when divided in half. This means that when the shape is folded in half the halves match up perfectly. A line of symmetry is called a line of reflection. MA.3.GR.1.3 – Draw line(s) of symmetry in a two-dimensional figure and identify line symmetric two-dimensional figures.  Understanding Symmetry Symmetry is a skill in preparation for more advanced geometric skills quite a way down the line (8th grade!). At the same time, it is a helpful concept for understanding area models of fractions and e ..read more

In 3rd grade students begin to transition from being able to recognize shapes based on their defining attributes to understanding they can share attributes and belong to multiple categories. MA.3.GR.1.2 – Identify and draw quadrilaterals based on their defining attributes. Quadrilaterals include parallelograms, rhombi, rectangles, squares, and trapezoids.  Defining Attributes of Quadrilaterals Defining attributes of shapes are components that must be present in order for a shape to be in a certain category. Attributes that are NOT defining include size, color, and orientation or dire ..read more

In 3rd grade, students begin to develop a more formal understanding of geometric shapes based on their defining attributes. Attributes of shapes in 3rd grade are based on geometric components like right angles and intersecting, perpendicular, and parallel lines. MA.3.GR.1.1 – Describe and draw points, lines, line segments, rays, intersecting lines, perpendicular lines, and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.  Open vs. Closed Shapes Formal geometric shapes are closed. They start and end at the same point. Open shapes have different starting and ending points an ..read more

Third grade geometry isn’t sophisticated, but it is based on important sophisticated geometric concepts. Understanding the basic geometric components can help teachers and parents alike support students in the developments of their geometric reasoning. MA.3.GR.1.1 – Describe and draw points, lines, line segments, rays, intersecting lines, perpendicular lines, and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.  Geometric Components Points The smallest geometric component is the point. Points are tiny locations in space, represented by small dots. Children begin to understa ..read more

Do you remember the days of all your close friends huddled around a cootie catcher, moving your thumbs and index fingers while chanting? First to spell out a color, then counting, and finally waiting anxiously, hoping to reveal a fortune assuring you of wealth and fame. You can bring this same excitement to your classroom AND practice math facts. Cootie catchers, also called chatter boxes or fortune tellers, are a quick fun way for students to practice the facts they need to know. The best part? You won’t have to nag, because they will beg to play with these. Addition & Subtraction Dif ..read more

*This post includes affiliate links. In this post, we’ll look at some activities to help students describe, analyze, and categorize shapes by their attributes. This means students are going to need multiple opportunities to work with, talk about, draw pictures of, and write about different kinds of 2 dimensional shapes. Vocabulary Before students can describe and categorize shapes, they need the words to talk about shapes. Students need to know basic shape names, number of sides and vertices, and types of lines and angles. If you students still need practice with basic geometry vocabulary, tr ..read more

Geometry is fun, but sometimes the sheer volume of vocabulary terms can be overwhelming for students. This free resource will help students review important vocabulary words. Students will plot points on a coordinate grid to create line segments, angles, and shapes. Geometry Vocabulary Review Sheet #1 Students will review the following words: obtuse angle acute angle right angle parallel perpendicular Step 1: Students plot and label each ordered pair in the first section. Step 2: Connect points to create lines or angles. Step 3: Identify the correct vocabulary word to complete the sentence ..read more