- Definition
A rectangle is a four-sided shape where opposite sides are the same length and all its corners are perfect squares (like the corner of a book). A square is a special type of rectangle where all four sides are the same length.
A door is a rectangle because its opposite sides are equal and all its corners are right angles.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A rectangle is like a standard door or a regular window, a four-sided shape with four square corners.
Ask your child: Can you spot three rectangles in this room right now?
Common mix-up: Kids often think a square is not a rectangle. A square is a special type of rectangle where all four sides happen to be the same length.
Examples
- A standard piece of paper is a rectangle because its opposite sides are equal and it has four square corners.
- A square is also a rectangle, just a special one where all four sides are the same length.
rectangle is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
