SC Math Standards: Geometry Part 1

As children build and create with shapes, they develop a deeper understanding of the mathematical principals of geometry.

Children discover that shapes have lines and angels. They see how 2 dimensional objects have width and height, and 3 dimensional objects have width, height, and depth. Learning the mathematical terms and calculating numbers will come much later, but understanding how an object looks and feels will establish a mental picture. This mental picture will prove to be very important in the future as children are introduced to more abstract concepts because they have developed real-world connections.

In Tana Hoban’s wordless book Shapes, Shapes, Shapes, children observe shapes hidden in plain sight. This book is a perfect leap into how shapes exist in the world around us. Find shapes around your house or in your backyard and play a game of eye-spy, or take pictures to create your own shapes book. Talk about the difference between a 2D and 3D shape. How are they alike? How are they different?

SC Kindergarten Math Standard: Geometry 

• Your child can identify shapes from everyday life like triangles, circles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, spheres, cones, cubes, and cylinders
• Your child can classify shapes as 2-dimensional (flat) or 3-dimensional (solid)
• Your child can draw 2-dimensional shapes and make models of 3-dimensional shapes
• Your child can analyze shapes of different sizes and positions. Compare the differences
• Your child can describe simple repeating patterns like shapes, colors, and activities found in a shirt, drawing, or game

 Multimedia 

Activities:

At this stage of development, emphasize hands-on learning. Build your own 3D shapes from marshmallows and pretzel sticks, or playdough and toothpicks. Find more creative hands-on activities in these math blogs:

You Clever Monkey

Kindergarten Works

Tie three subjects together, Math, Science, and Art, in this cross-curricular activity from the Artful Parent .

The Artful Parent: How to Make Paper Shapes

The kindergarten and 1st grade Geometry Standards are closely linked together and many of the books, activities, and videos can be used to teach both grades.

SC First Grade Math Standard: Geometry

• Your child can identify shapes like hexagons (stop signs), trapezoids (kites), etc.
• Your child understands that the number of sides define a shape and that color does not define a shape. This is called defining and non-defining attributes.
• Your child can combine 2-dimensional shapes or 3-dimensional shapes to make new shapes
• Your child can divide 2-dimensional shapes into 2 or 4 equal parts

Multimedia 

Activities 

Discover ways to bring this first grade standard to life by exploring the activities in the following blogs.

The Owl Teacher: 10 Ways to Review the Attributes of Geometric Shapes

Easy Teaching Tools: The Perfect Activity for your Geometry Unit

Miss Giraffe’s Class: Composing Shapes

Tumble Math has a library packed with titles to teach any math concept, including geometry. You can access Tumble Math for free with your Richland Library card.

Ready to move forward to the next lessons in Geometry? Try Geometry Part 2 for 2nd and 3rd graders. 

Looking for more resources to teach the SC Education Standards? Visit Richland Library's SC Education Standard's page.  

The titles below will help you and your child discuss shapes and patterns . Want us to pull books for you? Contact us at 803-799-9084 and request to have books sent to your nearest Richland Library location.