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.

But as we know, there is a lot more to know about a shape beyond recognition!


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.

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 ...

Identify - 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.

  • It has 4 lines equal in length.
  • The four angles are equal in size - they are all 90 degrees.
  • It's two pairs of opposite sides are parallel
  • The lines opposite each other are equal in length
  • It is a Simple Quadrilateral (The sum of its angles is 360 degrees)
  • It is a parallelogram

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 my  Quadrilateral Family Tree Printable a useful tool to offer your child.

Calculate Area & Perimeter of a Rectangle.

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 recommend working 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 length.

However, opposite sides are the same length & the formula is simplified to reflect this! 

How to Construct a Rectangle

To 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 Shapes

The 3D Figures your student will study in relation to this 2d-shape are the Pyramid, Prism & Cuboid.

It would also be a very good exercise to compare this shape to other quadrilaterals.

Geometric Coloring Sheets

The use of coloring sheets allows your child to start experimenting with triangles.  A great first step is to encourage your child to color in triangles adjacent to each other 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 different shapes.  You will find some nice free geometric coloring pages to download and get started with.

Fun Geometry Projects

Coming soon!

Pythagoras

Theorems & Proofs

Coming soon!

I have created Free printable worksheets for you to offer your child for more practice.  Download, print and give them to your kids.  They're available 24/7!

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I am sure you will find all the information and worksheets you need here, however if there is anything you cannot find please don't hesitate to contact me or simply visit the MathMomentumCommunity and join the conversation!

I love to hear from my readers, and with a little feedback and a few suggestions I can make this a great resource for parents, teachers and tutors alike.

Be sure to explore everything on this site starting at the home page.

Return from this Rectangle shape page to our Different Types of Quadrilaterals Section.

Or

Return from this page to K6 Geometric Shapes Home Page, to explore all the other great sections I have to offer.