Identifying and Classifying Polygons

• Why should I bother learning this?

This is an excellent opportunity to ask your students to look around the classroom or school for examples of polygons. Having students go on a polygon scavenger hunt will help. Encourage students to discuss the importance of having different polygons. Could we survive with only squares?

• Is a square the same as a rectangle?

Many students interchange the terms square and rectangle. It is extremely helpful to list the properties of a square and rectangle side by side on a board for the class to see. Help students see that all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.

• Isn't a four-sided polygon called a rectangle?

Students will probably not know the term quadrilateral when they start this level. Explain that the prefix quad- means four. It is also important to reassure students who ask this question that a rectangle is a specific kind of quadrilateral. Show students many different quadrilaterals that are not rectangles or squares.

• Introducing the Concept
• Developing the Concept

Worksheet 1
Worksheet 2