Shapes, Symmetry and Directions
Lessons in this chapter
About Shapes, Symmetry and Directions
Shape Explorer is the chapter where geometry gets its vocabulary: polygon, prism, pyramid, symmetry, each with a definition rather than just a picture.
Identify Polygons and their Properties introduces the word polygon and the rule behind it: a closed shape made of straight sides. That definition does real work, because it tells a child why a circle is not a polygon and why an unclosed figure is not either.
Identify the Properties of Cubes, Rectangular Prisms and Pyramids and Identify the Properties of Cones, Cylinders and Spheres count faces, edges and vertices on solids. The naming matters here: a rectangular prism and a pyramid differ in how their faces meet, not just in how they look.
Identify Symmetry in Simple Shapes and Objects introduces the line of symmetry, a fold where both halves match. Kids usually find vertical lines easily and miss horizontal and diagonal ones, so the lesson deliberately uses shapes with more than one.
Locate Positions and Describe Directions closes the chapter with position on a grid, which is the step between 1st grade's route directions and the coordinate grid of later grades.
Identify Polygons and their Properties, Identify the Properties of Cubes, Rectangular Prisms and Pyramids and Identify Symmetry in Simple Shapes and Objects each open as a worksheet in the page, scored as your child answers. Five lessons in all, moving from flat shapes to solid ones and then to symmetry and position. Every one of them is free to practice online.
Frequently asked questions
Polygons and their properties first, then the properties of cubes, rectangular prisms and pyramids, then cones, cylinders and spheres, then symmetry in simple shapes and objects, and finally locating positions and describing directions. The shape work sits in Geometry (2.G). Symmetry and position words go past what the Common Core asks for at 2nd grade: lines of symmetry are a 4th grade geometry target.
A closed shape made entirely of straight sides. A circle is not one because its edge is curved, and an unclosed figure is not one because it has a gap.
A line you could fold along so both halves match exactly. A square has four, a rectangle has two, a circle has infinitely many.
Because vertical ones are easiest to see. Horizontal and diagonal lines get overlooked, which is why the lessons use shapes with several.
A prism has two identical parallel faces joined by rectangles. A pyramid has one base and triangular faces meeting at a point.
Faces, edges and vertices. Counting them on a real object is far more reliable than on a drawing, where several are hidden.