Classroom · Shapes · 1st and 2nd grade

Sides and vertices worksheets

A free five-page pack for 1st and 2nd grade: learn to count the sides and vertices of a shape and name it, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the sides and vertices pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

51 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice sides and vertices, step by step.
0:04 A side is a straight line on the edge of a shape. A vertex is a corner, where two sides meet. A pentagon has 5 sides and 5 vertices.
0:14 Put a dot on each vertex as you count. A triangle has 3 sides and 3 vertices. A rectangle has 4 sides and 4 vertices.
0:24 Count the sides and vertices, then name the shape. 4 sides and 4 vertices: it's a trapezoid.
0:32 Word problems. Zara drew 3 triangles and 2 squares. How many sides are there in all? The answer is 17 sides: 3 x 3 + 2 x 4.
0:45 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

A side is a straight line on the edge of a shape. A vertex is a corner, where two sides meet. Most flat shapes have the same number of sides and vertices: a pentagon has 5 sides and 5 vertices.

Teaching tip

Ask children to mark each vertex with a dot before they count. Counting the dots stops them counting the same corner twice.

Try some

Sides and vertices?Tap to check3 sides, 3 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check4 sides, 4 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check5 sides, 5 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check6 sides, 6 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check8 sides, 8 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check4 sides, 4 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to check4 sides, 4 vertices
Sides and vertices?Tap to checkno sides or vertices

Word problems

Zara drew 3 triangles and 2 squares. How many sides are there in all?Show answer

17 sides (3 x 3 + 2 x 4)

A stop sign is an octagon. How many vertices does it have?Show answer

8 vertices

Ali drew a shape with 5 sides and 5 vertices. What is it called?Show answer

a pentagon

How many more sides does a hexagon have than a triangle?Show answer

3 more sides (6 - 3)

What the worksheets look like

Sides and vertices worksheet: meet the shapes, then a first practice — Page 1: meet the shapes, then a first practice

Sides and vertices worksheet: find, name and count the shapes — Page 2: find, name and count the shapes

2D and 3D shapes chart

Ten flat shapes and six solid shapes with their names, sides and everyday examples, to keep on the wall.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach sides and vertices?

A side is a straight line on the edge of a shape. A vertex is a corner, where two sides meet. Most flat shapes have the same number of sides and vertices: a pentagon has 5 sides and 5 vertices. Ask children to mark each vertex with a dot before they count. Counting the dots stops them counting the same corner twice.

What grade learns sides and vertices?

Usually 1st and 2nd grade. In the Common Core it is part of 1.G.A.1, 2.G.A.1.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.