Exploring Shapes

Opening Activity

Today we’re reading The Rabbit Listened. This story helps us to think about feelings and rebuilding when something falls down or doesn’t go as planned. 

Read The Rabbit Listened aloud.

• How do you think Taylor feels? 
• What helped Taylor feel better?

Today, just like Taylor, we are going to be builders. We are going to use shape and spatial words as we make strong structures. First, we need to look closely at the shapes we can use.

Central Ideas and Practice

I’m going to hold up a block. What shape do you see?

 Show a rectangle, cylinder, square, arch, and triangle. 

Image

Let’s talk about what makes each shape special.

Identify shape attributes (flat, curved, corner, straight, roll, stack, balance, side). Describe/compare block shapes, for example:

• Point to the flat side.
• Which have curves? Touch the curved part.
• This cylinder can roll across the table.
• How many corners does this block have?
• Which will make a good opening or doorway?
• Which shape will make your building taller?
• Show two shapes that are the same/match. How are they the same? How are they different?

Encourage children to use shape words and spatial words. Model and echo spatial words: e.g., the cylinder is next to the square. Can you tell me what is on top?

Direct Instruction

When we build, shapes matter. Some shapes stack easily because they have flat sides. Some shapes roll because they are curved.

• Which will stack? (rectangle, all sides are flat)
  • Hold up two rectangles “these have flat sides, that helps them to stack”
• Which will roll? Why? (Cylinder, curved side)
  • “This cylinder has a curved side. What might happen if we try to stack it?”
• What helps this block stay steady?
• What shape should go at the bottom if we want a strong base?
  • “Let’s put this block under the arch to make a doorway.”

When we build, shapes matter. Come shapes stack easily because they have flat sides. Some shapes roll because they are curved. Let’s predict: what will happen if the cylinder is on top? Will it stay steady? Let’s test it. Why did it fall? What could we change?

Guided Practice

Children build in small groups. Observe and ask questions. 

I will be walking around to listen and ask questions that help you to think about your shapes and structures. 

Some possible observations and questions when circulating:

• Tell me about the shape you chose. Why did you pick that one?
• Which shape could make an opening?
• I see the arch over the doorway.
• Which shape will help your tower more stable?
• If something falls, we can rebuild, just like Taylor. What could you change if it keeps falling?
• Show me what part was tricky and how you fixed it.
• How do you know these two shapes match?
• How did you figure out how to balance that?
• How could you make it taller without falling?
• What would happen if...

Wrap-Up/Closure

Let’s look at what you built. Tell me about the shapes you chose? Can you describe your structure using words like rectangle, square, arch, and cylinder? Tell us what is on top, under, or next to…

Encourage each group to offer some description of their constructions.

Just like Taylor, we built something new today. Some of your buildings fell and you rebuilt them again. We learned that different shapes help up in different ways.