Students investigate quadrilaterals by identifying, sorting, and comparing shapes based on shared attributes such as sides, angles, and corners. Through a Mystery Shape Meetup, campus shape hunt, critique check-ins, and a final gallery walk, they build geometry vocabulary and explain why shapes belong in specific groups. The work helps students strengthen critical thinking as they test ideas, revise groupings, and use evidence to describe similarities and differences.

Students will identify and describe quadrilaterals by their attributes, including number of sides, angles, corners, and matching features, using precise geometry vocabulary. They will sort, compare, and justify groupings of rectangles, squares, trapezoids, and other quadrilaterals by explaining similarities and differences. Students will revise their thinking after peer and teacher feedback during shape check-ins and teacher conferences. They will apply their understanding to real objects on campus by creating and explaining a class shape map and mystery shape display for visitors.

Students will create labeled quadrilateral cutouts and sorting mats as they build a hands-on mystery shape display that groups shapes by shared attributes and differences. During the week, they will add to a class campus shape map with quadrilateral examples identified with support from a school facilities staff member. They will also produce simple explanation cards that name sides, angles, corners, and matching features for each group. By the end, students will present a completed mystery shape display, campus shape map, and labeled sort cards during the Quadrilateral Gallery Walk.

Start with a Mystery Shape Meetup: teams open envelopes with hidden quadrilateral clues and a small set of shape cards, then work together to decide which shapes belong in the same group and name the shared attributes. As students sort, prompt them to notice sides, angles, and corners and use geometry vocabulary to compare rectangles, squares, trapezoids, and other quadrilaterals. Pause for quick team check-ins where classmates and the teacher give one note about whether a shape fits the group and why. Close by revealing that students will create a class mystery shape display and a campus shape map with input from a school facilities staff member.

Host a Quadrilateral Gallery Walk where students present their mystery shape display, sorted quadrilateral cutouts, and labeled cards that explain sides, angles, corners, and shared attributes. Include a campus shape map created with input from a school facilities staff member so visitors can connect classroom learning to real shapes found around the school. Invite families, classmates, and the facilities staff member to ask students why a shape belongs in one group instead of another and what differences make it fit better elsewhere. Add a simple interactive station where guests try sorting a few shape cards and students give feedback using their geometry vocabulary.