A two-dimensional shape can be partitioned into smaller familiar shapes, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles, while the pieces together cover the original shape without gaps or overlaps. The learner identifies and describes different valid decompositions and understands that a shape’s appearance may change when divided, supporting later work with composing shapes, area, and geometric properties; formal area calculations and generalized decompositions are not included.
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Detailed Explanation: Decompose shapes into smaller shapes
Look at the whole shape first. Ask yourself: What smaller shapes do I recognize?
Example
Imagine a shape that looks like a house:
- The bottom part is a rectangle.
- The top part is a triangle.
To decompose the shape:
- Find where the triangle roof meets the rectangle.
- Draw a straight line across that place.
- Now the large shape is split into two smaller shapes:
- one rectangle
- one triangle
- Check the pieces. They fit together to make the whole house shape.
- Make sure there are no gaps between the pieces and that the pieces do not overlap.
So, the house shape can be decomposed into a rectangle and a triangle.
Learn by doing: Decompose shapes into smaller shapes
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Practice:
Shape Composites - Composite Shape Picture to Shape Set
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Download/Modify Free Grade 1 'Decompose shapes into smaller shapes' Worksheet
Print this free 'Decompose shapes into smaller shapes' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Shape Composites - Composite Shape Picture to Shape Set
- Shape Composites - Complex Composite Shape Picture to Shape Set
- Shape Composites - Shape Set to Composite Shape Picture
- Shape Composites - Shape Set to Composite Shape Name
- Identify Shapes 2D - Count Triangles
- Identify Shapes 2D - Count Squares
- Identify Shapes 2D - Count Rectangles
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Decompose shapes into smaller shapes) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.