> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.edzo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 2D Shapes Block

> Learn how to use 2D Shapes blocks to display geometric shapes with optional side and angle labels.

The **2D Shapes** block displays a geometric shape with customizable dimensions, side labels, and angle labels. Use it to teach shape properties, perimeter, area, and angle concepts.

## When to use 2D Shapes blocks

2D Shapes blocks work well for:

* Displaying shapes with labeled sides and angles
* Teaching properties of different geometric shapes
* Showing dimensions for perimeter and area calculations
* Illustrating angle types (right angles, acute, obtuse)
* Providing visual references for geometry activities

## Available shapes

The block supports ten common 2D shapes:

* **Triangle**
* **Rectangle**
* **Square**
* **Parallelogram**
* **Trapezoid**
* **Rhombus**
* **Pentagon**
* **Hexagon**
* **Circle**
* **Semicircle**

## Settings

### Shape settings

<ParamField path="Shape" default="Triangle" type="select">
  The geometric shape to display. Each shape has its own set of dimension, side label, and angle label options.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Size" default="Medium" type="select">
  The display size of the shape:

  * **Small**: Compact display
  * **Medium**: Standard display
  * **Large**: Larger display for projection or emphasis
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Rotation" default="0" type="slider">
  Rotates the shape from -180 to 180 degrees. Useful for showing shapes in non-standard orientations.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show grid" default="false" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays a background grid behind the shape for reference.
</ParamField>

### Color settings

<ParamField path="Fill color" default="#E3F2FD" type="color">
  The interior fill color of the shape.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Stroke color" default="#333333" type="color">
  The outline color of the shape.
</ParamField>

### Dimensions

Depending on the selected shape, you can set dimensions like:

* **Base** and **Height** (triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids)
* **Width** and **Height** (rectangles)
* **Side length** (squares, pentagons, hexagons)
* **Radius** (circles, semicircles)
* **Top** side length (trapezoids)
* **Offset** (parallelograms)

### Side and angle labels

Each shape has toggles to show or hide labels on specific sides and angles. When a label is shown, you can customize the text displayed (e.g., "5 cm" or "base").

This lets you show as much or as little information as needed for your activity.

## Tips for teachers and parents

**Best practices:**

* Use **Rotation** to present shapes in unfamiliar orientations so learners recognize shapes regardless of position
* Show only the dimensions needed for the current activity (e.g., show base and height for area calculations)
* Use side labels with values for measurement activities, or with variable names (like "x") for algebraic thinking
* Turn on the grid for activities where learners count grid squares to find area
* Show angle labels with degree values for angle identification activities
* Use multiple 2D Shapes blocks side by side to compare properties of different shapes

## Related blocks

* [Angle](/creating/resources/learning-blocks/angle): For interactive angle displays
* [Angle Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/angle-question): For assessable angle measurement activities