Problem:

1.   Which picture shows a cylinder?

2.   Which picture shows a rectangle?

3.   Which picture shows a cube?

4.   Which picture shows a rhombus?

Answer:

1.     B

2.     A

3.     D

4.     C

Teacher Notes:

“Naming shapes is important, but even more important is observing the attributes, or characteristics, of shapes. Characteristics of two-dimensional shapes that children might explore include

·      the number of sides and vertices (corners), and

·      how shapes can be put together or taken apart to make other shapes.”

Characteristics of three-dimensional figures that children might focus on include the number and shape of the faces, the number of edges and corners, places where the figure is wide or narrow, and what the figure would look like if it were cut apart and opened up.1