Learning the Properties of Rectangles

Khan Academy Kids

In this engaging animated video, Sandy the dingo from Khan Academy Kids introduces young learners to the geometric concept of a rectangle. Through clear visual demonstrations, Sandy breaks down the defining attributes of the shape, including its side counts, corners, and the relationship between opposite sides. The video uses a friendly character-driven approach to make abstract geometry concrete. The content focuses on key geometric vocabulary and properties, specifically identifying that rectangles have four sides and four corners, with opposite sides being parallel. It distinguishes rectangles from other quadrilaterals by noting they usually have two longer sides and two shorter sides. The lesson bridges the gap between geometry and the real world by transforming the abstract shape into a common object—a door. This video is an excellent resource for early childhood and lower elementary classrooms introducing 2D shapes. It provides a concise, visual definition that helps students move beyond simple shape recognition to understanding specific attributes. Teachers can use it to spark 'shape hunts' in the classroom or as a primer for lessons on sides, vertices, and parallel lines.