shapes at play

On Tuesday we read Shapes at Play and continued our conversations about how shapes fit together to make different shapes, further our learning about shape attributes. We found shapes in our classroom environment, using our knowledge of lines, sides, and corners to name the different shapes.

I introduced three new math tools this week; geoboards, unifix cubes, and exploragons. These materials now live with our pattern blocks on the math shelf. They offer a variety of ways to learn about shapes and lines, count and compare, build with patterns, and gain a deeper understanding of how we can use shapes to represent our ideas or stories.

Geoboards 

exploring polygon characteristics
pinching/stretching rubber bands; developing fine motor skills
noticing and counting corners
using rubber bands and small pegs to make different lines

 

 

 

 


Unifix Cubes

building patterns
counting, grouping (using a ten frame to count a group of ten)
comparing
measuring (how many cubes to make a tower as long as the table)
connecting cubes together; developing fine motor skills

 

Exploragons 

using straight lines (sides) to build shapes
snapping flexible sticks together; developing fine motor skills
developing knowledge of shape attributes
comparing and contrasting squares and rectangles

While the children were building structures and designs with the exploragons we talked about our work as builders and artists- all of our work has a story. We are storytellers and we tell our stories in many different ways. Savannah built a colorful house and Ivy built Thomas the train. Sebby built a robot and Myra built a locked door leading to a party.

The children were so excited about their stories told using shapes and lines, that we had our first "museum walk" share. They wrote their name on a sticky note next to their work. We turned the lights off and quietly moved through our classroom, admiring the detail in their work and noticing the shapes used to create their designs. This also provided an opportunity to discuss what a museum is. Brennan shared that he went to a museum where he looked, but didn't touch. Sebby said that sometimes you can play with things in museums or try things out.

Museums are a place for important work, just like our classroom is a place for important work.