Lesson 7

Rectangles and Squares

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to understand that a square is also a rectangle.

Lesson Narrative

The purpose of this lesson is to establish a hierarchy of quadrilaterals based on properties of angles and side lengths and to represent that hierarchy using a diagram.  Students examine the relationships between different pairs of quadrilaterals, notably squares and rectangles but also squares and rhombuses, and trapezoids and parallelograms. They have worked with explicit examples of these shapes in previous lessons and described their defining attributes. In this lesson they put all of these relationships together to understand relationships between categories (MP7), such as:

  • A quadrilateral that is both a rectangle and a rhombus is a square.
  • Rhombuses, squares, and rectangles are all parallelograms, but parallelograms don't have to be rhombuses, rectangles, or squares.

Students should have access to straight edges, protractors, and patty paper throughout this lesson.

  • Action and Expression
  • MLR8

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Explain why a square is also a rectangle.

Student Facing

  • Let’s learn more about rectangles and squares.

Required Materials

Materials to Copy

  • Quadrilateral Clues

Required Preparation

Activity 1:

  • Create a set of cards from the blackline master for each group of 2.
  • Gather diagram from a previous lesson.

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Building Towards

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 15 min
Activity 2 20 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

As students shared their ideas today, how did you ensure all students’ voices were heard and valued as an important part of the collective learning?

Suggested Centers

  • Which One? (K–5), Stage 7: Grade 5 Shapes (Addressing)
  • How Are They the Same? (1–5), Stage 5: Grade 5 Shapes (Addressing)
  • How Are They the Same? (1–5), Stage 4: Grade 4 Shapes (Supporting)

Print Formatted Materials

Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.

Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
Cool Down Log In
Teacher Guide Log In
Teacher Presentation Materials pdf docx
Blackline Masters zip

Additional Resources

Google Slides Log In
PowerPoint Slides Log In