#1196. Shapes Game

, level: Pre-School
Posted Tue Jul 27 05:05:54 PDT 1999 by Sheryl Mosca (YonderMom@aol.com).
Boutwell School, Wilmington, MA, US
Materials Required: colored construction paper, scissors
Activity Time: no specific length
Concepts Taught: recognizing shapes, following directions, making comparisons

I made a simple class game about shapes that may be played different ways.

I cut out various shapes in different sizes and colors. I also cut out black "x"'s. All of these were laminated.

The children sit in a circle on their knees with the shapes spread in the middle. I then direct a child to find a certain item. At the beginning of the year, it may be "Find a circle." Later it will be "Find the largest red circle." The piece is removed and held onto by the person who finds it.

As the kids get the hang of it, I give the direction, then the child's name. When finished, we play the game backwards and the children replace the pieces (no special place) and give the description back- "This is the largest red circle."

We vary the game with having the students "fold up" over their knees so there is no peeking and have them try to guess what has been taken away or put back. Once again they give the description of the item.