Check the definition, not the look. Any shape with two pairs of parallel sides is a parallelogram, and that includes rectangles, rhombuses and squares.
parallelalways the same distance apart, never meeting
parallelogram4 sides, with 2 pairs of parallel sides
rhombusa parallelogram with 4 equal sides
rectanglea parallelogram with 4 right angles
Watch for: Saying a square isn't a rectangle because it looks different. Mixing up “always” and “sometimes”: a rectangle is only sometimes a square. Counting a trapezoid as a parallelogram when it has only one pair of parallel sides.
At home: Sort shapes around the house, like tiles, books and napkins, and ask which family each is in. Could it belong to more than one?
Sample sheet and answer key
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 5 · Shape families · 5.G.B.3
NameDate
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Always, sometimes or never?
Circle one.
A square is a rectangle.alwayssometimesnever
A rectangle is a square.alwayssometimesnever
A square is a parallelogram.alwayssometimesnever
A parallelogram has four right angles.alwayssometimesnever
A triangle has four sides.alwayssometimesnever
A rhombus has four equal sides.alwayssometimesnever
All parallelograms
Circle every shape with two pairs of parallel sides.
Sheet
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 5 · Shape families · 5.G.B.3
Answer key
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Always, sometimes or never?
Circle one.
A square is a rectangle.alwayssometimesnever
A rectangle is a square.alwayssometimesnever
A square is a parallelogram.alwayssometimesnever
A parallelogram has four right angles.alwayssometimesnever
A triangle has four sides.alwayssometimesnever
A rhombus has four equal sides.alwayssometimesnever
All parallelograms
Circle every shape with two pairs of parallel sides.
Answer key
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
