Answers:

1.   B

2.   A

3.   B

4.   C

Teacher Notes:

 Students should be beginning to use the appropriate mathematical language for two- and three-dimensional shapes. Students should recognize the shapes in a set of pattern blocks, describing the blue and tan shapes as either rhombi (rhombus) or parallelograms. Many students and adults will want to call these shapes diamonds, but “diamond” is not a mathematical term.

“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.3