Unit Plan 7 (PreK Math): Compose with Shapes

Focus: Combine two or more shapes to make new figures or pictures; describe parts and the whole and notice structure (how pieces fit).

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Mathematics (Geometry—Shape Composition)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Children explore how small shapes can fit together to make bigger shapes and simple pictures (e.g., two triangles make a rectangle/house roof). They learn to name the parts used and describe the whole figure, attending to whether pieces overlap or cover without gaps.

Essential Questions

• How can I put shapes together to make a new figure or picture?
• Which shapes fit well, and how do I know they match the outline without gaps or overlaps?
• How can I tell which shapes I used to make the whole?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Compose new figures by combining two or more shapes (e.g., two triangles → rectangle, square + triangle → house).
2. Describe compositions using words like part, whole, fit, cover, straight/curved.
3. Match a composed model to a picture/outline and check for gaps or overlaps.
4. Decompose a composed figure by naming and separating the shapes used.

Standards Alignment — Custom CCSS-style Pre-Kindergarten

• PK.G.5 — Compose shapes. Puts two or more shapes together to make a new figure or picture; e.g., two triangles make a rectangle/“house roof”. (Aligns to K.G.6—direct)
• MP.7 — Look for and make use of structure. Notices how shapes repeat/fit to form larger figures.
• (Supportive) MP.5 — Use appropriate tools strategically. Chooses tools (pattern blocks, tangrams, tiles) to complete a composition.
• (Supportive) MP.6 — Attend to precision. Names shapes and checks for gaps/overlaps carefully.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can put shapes together to make a new figure.
• I can name the shapes I used and the whole I made.
• I can show that my pieces fit with no gaps or overlaps.