Master the Rectangle Shape from recognition to construction.
The Rectangle Shape is usually introduced to your child before they even start school. Just like the square and the circle, it is easily identified by children.
The seven steps detailed bellow take you from basic identification all the way through to taking a detailed look at the theorems involving the rectangle shape. These steps also include 'pit stops' to complete fun geometry projects and coloring sheets.
These are nice 'breathers' on the learning curve, but they are excellent ways of reinforcing the new knowledge in ways that your kid can get a real life, hands on approach to understanding the basic geometry concepts included.
Okay, so let's get started ...
How do we know what we look at is a Rectangle Shape?First and fore most it is a quadrilateral which is a 4 sided plane shape.
The table bellow is intended to be read from left to right. Chose any shape from the left hand column, and by moving right, you can see what other shape qualities it posesses.
Once your child is comfortable with how to recognize the rectangle shape, offer them some shape worksheets to see how they get on with identifying the shape when compared with others. You may also find our Quadrilateral Family Tree Printable a useful tool to offer your child.
Calculate Area and Perimeter
How to calculate the Area and Perimeter of a Rectangle.
Please note your child WILL be expected to remember these formula.
The Area of this shape is calculated by multiplying its base by its height.
If your child has problems understanding the concept of Area, I recomend working with second grade 'grid method' worksheets first, and then move on to fourth grade worksheets using numbers and finally word problems.
The Perimeter of ANY shape is simply the sum total of all the lengths of the shape.
The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of its lengths.
However, since opposite sides are the same length, the formula is simplified to reflect this!
How to construct a ParallelogramTo complete this, you will need a ruler, pencil, compass and a blank piece of paper!
Note: This construction is based upon having the knowledge of the lengths of the sides of the rectangle
Step 1: Draw a straight line lightly using your ruler and pencil on your paper. - This is what we call a construction line, and will be the base of your shape.
Step 2: Indicate one point which will be the bottom left hand vertex (corner).
Step 3: Using this point and your compass, construct the first perpendicular line to your base. This is the second side of your rectangle shape
Step 4:Measure the length of the rectangle along your base line, and the height of your rectangle along the perpendicular line you constructed, and mark with points.
Step 5:Using the second point on your base line, repeat step 3, to find your third side.
Step 6:Measure the height of your rectangle again on this new perpendicular and mark with a point.
Step 7: Connect the vertices on the perpendiculars, to create your fourth and final side.
Step 8:Using a heavier line connect the four points to finish your shape.
Relationship to 3D ShapesThe three dimensional shapes your child will study using the rectangle, will be the cuboid the rectangular pyramid and ALL the prisms! The rectangle is studied in great detail at the elementary level. The theory involved in the Square and Rectangle Shape is applied to just about everything the K-6 student will study in geometry. Do not let your child struggle with this.
Geometric Coloring SheetsThe use of coloring sheets allows your child to start experimenting with different shapes. A great first step is to encourage your child to color in shapes adjacent to eachoter with the same color, until their shape starts to look like 'something'. Perhaps that something will be a rectangle or a house. By doing this, your child will start to realize the connection between the shapes. You will find some nice free geometric coloring pages to download here.
Fun Geometry ProjectsCOMMING SOON!
Theorems & ProofsCOMMING SOON!