Shapes Are All Around Us
6-1 Naming and Classifying Shapes - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.1
Shapes are all around us. For our young learners just beginning to identify shapes, it is important for them to recognize shapes as more than just figures drawn on a piece of paper. Shapes are everywhere!
“The Greedy Triangle”
To help students discover all the places they can find shapes, read “The Greedy Triangle” by Marilyn Burns. If you do not have access to the book, below is a link to a great read aloud of the story. The book is about a bored triangle who is envious of other shapes, so it becomes those shapes to experience their lives in hopes it will have more fun. Little does the Greedy Triangle know, being yourself is the best thing you can be.
“The Greedy Triangle” Read Aloud
While reading, pause when each new shape is introduced to discuss and review the attributes of the shape (lines, angles, etc.) Shapes included in the story are triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, and hexagons. (Heptagons, octagons, nonagons, and decagons also make a brief appearance). The FREE Shape Posters can also be used to display and review attributes with students. Keep these displayed in your classroom as a yearlong resource for students!
Interdisciplinary Connection: Though a mathematical story, this book also lends itself well to discussing theme and author’s message. The Greedy Triangle learns it is always best to be yourself. As the triangle becomes many different shapes, it becomes unhappy and realizes the best thing to be is yourself. Even its friends are happy when it returns to its triangle shape!
Shape Scavenger Hunt
Just like The Greedy Triangle sees shapes all around, tell students they are going to go on a scavenger hunt to see which shapes they can find in their surroundings. The scavenger hunt can be conducted in the classroom, or even around the school and outside depending on location, season, etc. Using the FREE Shape Scavenger Hunt Form, students will explore their surroundings to see which shapes they can find, and then record them to later share with their classmates. The form has multiple spaces for students to track their shape findings. Also included is a shape reference key with visuals of each shape and their spellings for students to use a reference. Students can complete the scavenger independently, or with a partner or small group.
After students have completed the scavenger hunt, call students back together as a whole class to discuss and share their findings. You’ll be amazed at all the places they found shapes!
Writing About Shapes
To culminate student’s knowledge about shapes, create a class book about shapes inspired by “The Greedy Triangle.” Each student will choose their favorite shape to write about, and give their shape a creative name using an adjective. Then, they will write a short biography of their shape including both its defining and non-defining attributes. Use the FREE Class Shape Book to get started!
- Print copies of the different shapes for the “Our Class Shapes” book. Have enough copies available for each student to choose their own shape. Or, ask students beforehand which shape they would like to create, and you can print copies specific to the number of each shape you need.
- Start by asking students to brainstorm ideas for their shape. What will its name be? What kind of personality will their shape have? What will their shape look like?
- Allow students the opportunity to color their shape. They may add non-defining attributes such as a face, clothing, etc.
- Review adjectives as a class. Adjectives are words that describe a noun. In “The Greedy Triangle,” ‘greedy’ is an adjective used to describe the personality of the character. If someone is greedy, it means they want something very badly. The Greedy Triangle is very greedy because he wants very badly to be any shape but a triangle. Ask students how they can describe the shape they are creating. Brainstorm a list of adjectives as a class. Once students choose an adjective for their shape, they can write it on the title their paper.
- Beneath the shape is room for students to describe their shape. It is important for students to include both defining and non-defining attributes. Remind students that defining attributes are the things that allow a triangle to be a triangle, while non-defining attributes are not requirements to be a triangle. Use “The Greedy Triangle” as an example. The following chart can be displayed or created as a class:
- Once attributes have been reviewed, students can write about their shape. The following sentence starters may be helpful:
My name is The ________ (Adjective) _________ (Shape).
I am ________________________________________________.
I have ______________________________________________.
I can _______________________________________________.
I like to _____________________________________________.
- Compile students’ writing into a class book and share with the class to review shapes and their attributes throughout the year!
FREE Downloads For This Lesson
This Lesson if from our 1st Grade Math Curriculum
Unit 6 – Identifying and Partitioning Shapes
-
6-1 Naming and Classifying Shapes (Member Only)
-
6-2 Creating Shapes (Member Only)
-
6-3 Partitioning Shapes Into Halves and Quarters (Member Only)
-
6-4 Telling Time Using Halves (Member Only)
Do you want instant access to all of our 1st Grade Math Intervention Activities Right Now?
Click the button below to Join The Intervention Adventures Community.
