2D Shapes

Children learn to match, name, describe, represent, construct, and classify two-dimensional ("flat") geometric shapes, increasingly using mathematical properties of the shapes.

See the document "2D Shape Descriptions" in the Resources tab, then select "For Teachers."

Practice-based Research: They learn to compare and classify shapes. For example, to determine if two shapes are exactly the same (or congruent--same size and same shape) you can superimpose them (lay one on top of the other to see if they match exactly. 

Another way shapes can be "the same" is to be in the same shape category with the same attributes, such as triangles—closed shapes with three straight sides.

You may see this:

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Levels

  1. "Same Thing" Comparer: Foundations
  2. Shape Matcher—Identical Orientations & Sizes
  3. Shape Recognizer—Typical
  4. Shape Matcher—More Shapes; Sizes & Orientations; Combinations
  5. Shape Recognizer—Circles, Squares, and Triangles
  6. Constructor of Shapes from Parts—Looks Like
  7. Shape Recognizer—All Rectangles
  8. Side Recognizer
  9. Most Attributes Comparer
  10. Corner (Angle) Recognizer
  11. Shape Recognizer—More Shapes
  12. Shape Identifier
  13. Angle Recognizer—More Contexts
  14. Parts of Shapes Identifier
  15. Congruence Superposer
  16. Constructor of Shapes from Parts-Exact
  17. Angle Representer
  18. Congruence Representer
  19. Shape Class Identifier
  20. Shape Property Identifier
  21. Property Class Identifier
  22. Angle Synthesizer

Inclusive Teaching Approaches

We are working with our partners at the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center to improve engagement opportunities for young children with disabilities (O-5). 

Accessibility for Diverse Educators 

Almost all of the videos on our website have closed captions in English and Spanish for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Most of our videos can also be accessed with a voiceover describing the scene for those with vision impairments. Click on the Accessibility toggle in the bottom right corner.

Accessibility for Children 

Learn how to incorperate 2D Shapes across the whole day in Routines, and find accomodations for diverse learners in all levels of 2D Shapes in Teaching Strategies. 

We have also created new activities or updated previous activities with new features that support engagement for all children. Features of the activities include intentionally inclusive design, accommodations for specific disabilities, questions for caregiver and early interventionist reflection on development, and ideas for learning in everyday routines. We have started by developing activities for infants and toddlers, with plans to add more at the older levels in the future. New inclusive activities for Counting are linked below (and also embedded in the site, at their respective trajectory level).

Level: Same Thing Comparer

Level: Shape Matcher - Identical, Orientations, Sizes

General accommodation recommendations can be accessed in our Inclusion resources, linked here

Read more about the STEMIIEE center here at their website

Special Thanks To

Institute of Education Sciences
The research reported here was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through grant numbers R305K050157, R305A120813, R305A110188, and R305A150243. to the University of Denver. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.
Bill & Melinda Gates foundation
Heising Simons foundation