Students will recognize and identify squares, understanding that squares have four equal sides and four corners.

A square is a flat shape with four equal sides and four corners. Pre-K children learn to recognize squares through their distinctive features.

Four Sides

• Count them: 1, 2, 3, 4
• All straight (not curved)
• All the same length (equal)

Four Corners

• Pointy parts where sides meet
• All corners are the same ("square corners" or right angles)
• Count them: 1, 2, 3, 4

All Sides Equal

• Top and bottom same length
• Left and right same length
• All four sides match

Looks the Same When Turned

• Can rotate a square and it looks the same
• Can flip it and it looks the same

Show Many Examples

Provide squares in different:
- Sizes: tiny squares, large squares
- Colors: various colors
- Materials: paper, blocks, fabric, plastic
- Orientations: straight up, tilted (diamond position)
- Solid vs. outline: filled and outlined squares

Multisensory Exploration

Visual: Look at squares
Tactile: Trace squares with fingers, feel corners
Kinesthetic: Walk in a square path, make square with body/arms
Manipulative: Play with square blocks and toys

Count Features

Help children count:
- "Let's count the sides: 1, 2, 3, 4!"
- "Now let's count the corners: 1, 2, 3, 4!"
- "Four sides and four corners - it's a square!"

Compare with Circles

Highlight differences:
- "Circle is round. Square has corners."
- "Feel the circle - smooth. Feel the square - pointy corners."
- "Circle rolls. Square has flat sides and sits still."

Squares appear everywhere:

At Home:
- Windows (many)
- Tiles (floor, wall)
- Crackers
- Sandwich bread
- Napkins
- Some picture frames
- Blocks and toys

At School:
- Post-it notes
- Pattern blocks (square)
- Some books
- Cubbies or lockers
- Floor tiles
- Game boards (checkers, tic-tac-toe)

Outdoors:
- Some traffic signs (do not enter)
- Windows on buildings
- Sidewalk squares
- Some playground equipment

In Nature:
- Less common (nature prefers curves)
- Some mineral crystals
- Human-made garden plots

Square Hunt

"Let's find squares in our classroom!"
- Search for square objects
- Point out and name each
- Count how many found

Square Tracing

• Provide square templates
• Trace with fingers: "Feel the corners!"
• Trace with crayons
• Notice the four sides

Square Stamping

• Use square sponges or blocks
• Dip in paint and stamp
• Create square art

Building with Squares

• Pattern blocks
• Square tiles
• Build designs using squares
• Count sides and corners

Square vs. Circle Sort

• Mix squares and circles
• Sort into two groups
• Explain differences

Calling all rectangles "squares"
Rectangles also have four sides and corners.

Solution: At Pre-K, close approximation is okay. Formal distinction comes later.

Not recognizing rotated squares (diamond position)
Square turned 45° looks different.

Solution: Show squares in many orientations. "It's still a square, just turned!"

Confusing sides and corners
Might count incorrectly.

Solution: Touch each side/corner while counting. Use different colors for sides vs. corners.

Only recognizing perfect squares
Slightly imperfect squares might confuse.

Solution: "Close enough! It has four sides and four corners - it's a square!"

Mastery indicators:
- Points to squares when asked
- Identifies squares among mixed shapes
- Uses the word "square" correctly
- Can count four sides
- Can count four corners
- Recognizes squares in different orientations
- Finds squares in the environment

Support:
- Start with perfect, upright squares
- Use large squares
- Trace with hand-over-hand help
- Count sides and corners together
- Compare only squares vs. circles initially
- Use bright, solid colors

Extension:
- Recognize tilted squares (diamonds)
- Draw squares (approximate)
- Notice all sides are equal length
- Distinguish squares from rectangles
- Create square patterns
- Find very small squares
- Build structures using only square blocks

Families can help:
- Point out squares: "The cracker is a square!"
- Count sides and corners together
- Play "I Spy squares"
- Draw squares together
- Find square books
- Make square art (paper crafts)
- Notice square tiles

• Square manipulatives (various sizes)
• Real square objects
• Square templates/stencils
• Pictures with squares
• Books about shapes
• Square pattern blocks
• Paint and square stamps
• Playdough for making squares

Compared to Circles:

• Squares have corners; circles don't
• Squares have straight sides; circles are curved
• Squares don't roll; circles do

Compared to Triangles:

• Squares have four sides; triangles have three
• Squares have four corners; triangles have three

Compared to Rectangles:

• Both have four sides and four corners
• Square sides are all equal; rectangle has two long, two short
• (Formal distinction can wait for later)

Recognizing squares builds:
- Shape recognition
- Counting skills (sides, corners)
- Understanding of attributes
- Comparison abilities
- Geometric thinking

Later, children will learn:
- Squares are special rectangles
- Area of squares (length × length)
- Perimeter of squares
- Square numbers (3² = 9)

• Squares appear in art, design, and architecture worldwide
• Quilting traditions use square patches
• Many games use square grids
• Buildings often incorporate square shapes

• Use consistent language: "four sides, four corners"
• Let children touch and trace
• Show many varied examples
• Accept approximations
• Make it playful
• Connect to real life constantly
• Celebrate discoveries