What are Squares and Rectangles?

Nico and Nia are working at the art museum. New paintings just arrived and they are in charge of hanging them on the wall. We can help by finding frames that are in the shape of “ Squares and Rectangles”. Squares and rectangles are shapes. Shapes are two-dimensional figures that we can name based on their “defining attributes”. Defining attributes are characteristics that a shape MUST HAVE. First, let’s look at a square. The defining attributes of a square are that it must be a closed shape and have... four sides that are ALL the SAME length… four corners… and four RIGHT angles. A right angle is the opening in a shape that makes another little square on the INSIDE corner. Let's count the right angles in a square… one(...)two(...)three(...)four. Now, let’s look at a rectangle. A rectangle looks a lot like a square... The defining attributes of a rectangle are that it must have… four sides that are equal on opposite sides. THIS side is equal to THIS one… and THIS side is equal to THIS one. A rectangle must also have four corners… and four right angles. Because squares and rectangles share most attributes, we can group them together. Squares and rectangles also have non-defining attributes. A NON-defining attribute is something that a shape has, but doesn’t always have to be the same. Size is an example of a non-defining attribute. Squares and rectangles can be big,(...)big, (...)BIG... or they can be small,(...)small,(...)small. Color is another non-defining attribute. Squares and rectangles can be ANY color! They can also face in any direction! Let’s identify squares and rectangles! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? Let's start with counting the sides… it has one, (...), two(...) three, (...) four sides. How many of the sides are the same length? All four sides are the same length! This side is equal to this one.... and this side is equal to that one. Now count the corners. It has one, (...) two,(...) three,(...) four corners. Finally, count the right angles on the inside. It has one,(...) two, (...) three,(...) four right angles. Is this shape a square or a rectangle? "This shape is a SQUARE... BUT, this shape can ALSO be called a rectangle! How about this shape? Is this shape a square or a rectangle? Start by counting the sides. One, two, three, four. How many sides are the same length? Two,(...) THIS side is equal to THIS one… and THIS side is equal to THIS one. Now count the corners. One, two, three, four. Finally, count the right angles. How many angles are right angles? Four! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? This shape is a rectangle! Here’s one more! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? (...) NO! This shape is not a square or a rectangle! This shape only has three sides. Now that we know all the attributes of squares and rectangles, let’s help Nico and Nia in the art museum. Look at the pictures at the museum. Can you point to all the paintings that have a frame that is either a square or a rectangle? (...) Here, (...) THIS frame has all the attributes of a square… and THIS frame has all the attributes of a rectangle! This frame is a rectangle, even though it is turned... Here's the last rectangle right here! Remember, (...) Shapes have defining and non-defining attributes. Squares and rectangles are closed shapes that ALWAYS have four sides... four corners… and four right angles. Squares have four sides all the same length… and rectangles have two opposite sides that are the same length. But, they can be any size, ... or color… and face in any direction. “Look Nia!” “Here’s one more picture to hang!” “ Ooohhhh…” “ That’s my favorite!!!”