Shape Up your Classroom: 8 Hands-On Activities for Teaching 2D Shapes

I recently wrapped up a unit on 2D shapes and thought I'd share some of the fun activities we did as a class.

Problem solving and rich tasks are key in math.  I pulled together some ideas from different sources for 2 weeks of hands-on activities. 

Making Shapes with Popsicle Sticks 

My students had to use Popsicle sticks to make shapes with different numbers of sides.  The more the sides increased, the trickier it was to create.

 Shape (and Color) Bingo

To keep the peace, I had to assign the caller, but they had fun with this little game.  I've had it for years and probably only cost me a few dollars.

Shape Puzzles

The first was plain and simple, but always engaging.  A little bit trickier...they had to look at the complete picture and recognize the composite parts.

Shape Pictures

We used Pattern blocks and foam shapes to create the pictures.  I loved watching them trying to solve the pictures that didn't show the outlines of the shapes.  Lots of trial and error in their spatial reasoning. 

Play Doh and Mats

Using mats from Sparklebox, they had tons if fun forming shapes.  It was the first time we used play dough in my class so they really looked forward to "Math Center Time"!  

GeoBoards

Another new favourite!  I made a pentagon as an example and you'd think I performed a magic trick!  They were so amazed and impressed!

Pattern Blocks

I used an activity from Kindergarten Works.  After covering the triangle, I asked them to show me another way. They were excited to come up with more new arrangements/shapes.  

Team Teaching Session

We combined our classes and did the problem from Kindergarten Works.  We had them work in pairs and set out pattern blocks, tangrams, and attribute blocks for them to use.  We charted some of their responses.  

They did really well and some realized that a triangle would always be needed. 

Then we gave a similar problem and put them in groups of four.  This time they had to show their work and draw their shapes. 

The following day, I gave them a similar problem to complete independently but changed the number of sides.  Depending on their ability, I required 7, 10, 12, 14 or 16 sides.  I asked them to show me at least 3 ways.  

My students really looked forward to math centres during these weeks!  Definitely a keeper!