Shapes
Here is how I like to teach shapes to preschoolers!
I start out the unit by hiding shapes that were cut out of construction paper around the room. Call out a shape, hold it up and the children find that shape and take it to their seat!
Once I get into teaching each shape, this is my routine:
- Play song #10 on the Sing to Learn CD (Visit Dr. Jean’s website!)
- read the book
- call on each child (individually) have them find an object in the room that is that shape (clock, ball, cup, wheel, etc); write the word on the board and draw a picture of the item
- get out the construction paper that has a copy of the shape, give one to each child and have them trace it with their finger
- have the children trace the shape with a crayon or pencil
- have the children cut the shape out
- have the children throw away trash and put their materials away
- review the shape they learned, have them “air write” it
Extensions:
- go on an outdoor scavenger hunt to find the shape
- have them draw the shape on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk
- give them a camera and have them take pictures of the shape
- make a collage of things that are that shape
To finish off the unit, we make a shape book and play shape BINGO! The shapes I usually teach are: circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, heart, diamond and star!
This is not the complete list of good shape books, these are just some of my favorites!
Comments
I did that with a child and had him run to every shape when we couldn’t go outside to burn off some energy, he loved it! I made just pieces of paper with drawn shapes and laminated them so I could use them over and over and I put them on different walls in the room.