1-2-3 Come Do Some 3D Shape Activities With Me

Besides learning 2D shapes, another of our Y5 standards is to be able to recognize, name, and give an example of the 3D shapes: cone, cube, sphere & cylinder.

Instead of learning each one independently, I teach all four of the 3D shapes at the same time. 

To help my students learn this vocabulary, I used glue dots to stick a small, solid 3D shape on my calendar display. 

It takes just a few seconds to point to each one and have my students say the name 3 times. They enjoy using their normal voice for the 1st time, a loud voice for the 2nd time, and then they whisper the word. 

I switch things up and sometimes ask them to say the shape words in a grumpy voice, high-pitched squeaky voice, or whatever.   In october we use a monster, Dracula, witch and ghost voice.  They learn this vocabulary very quickly.

Initially, I noticed that when I pointed to the plastic ball, some of my students were saying spear, instead of sphere, so listen carefully  and correct. To help reinforce the sphere as well as the other 3D shapes I use a beach ball.

You can buy them at The Dollar Store.  Using a permanent marker I drew each shape on a section of the ball, along with its name.  In just a few minutes everyone gets a turn to catch & toss the ball. 

Wherever their hands land, they point to and share the name of that shape. Since it's so light weight and travels slowly, even if a toss bonks someone or something we're safe. 

Since my kiddos absolutely LOVE this activity, I have beach balls for letters, numbers & the other 2D shapes.

We also make cubes with plastic waffle blocks.

Another super-fun thing we do, that takes just a moment is when my kiddos are transitioning, I'll say: "I spy a cube? Who else sees it?"  We then recognize various cubes around the room. 

I also have an extra set of the solid shapes and sometimes put them in my pocket, then when we are in the hallway on bathroom break. I'll hold one up 'til someone notices that I have a shape. That child gets to decide how many times (1-10) we hop on one foot and say the name. 

It's a great way to get the wiggles out while waiting. You'll find that there are lots of teachable moments in the day to cram in a bit of learning in fun & interesting ways.

Besides the above tips, I designed a jumbo 3D Shapes packet, which is filled with a nice assortment of activities to help learn, reinforce, review & assess.

The packet includes:
* A “My 3D Shape (trace, write & color) Booklet”
* A “Flip the Flap” Craft: So that you can choose different skill levels, there are several options, which will practice the solid shape, its name, a real world example, as well as attributes. 

Simply choose which is right for your kiddos . Besides black & white, patterns also come in color, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.

* Also included, is a 3D Shapes: Popsicle Stick Puppet Pal, which is a quick, easy & fun way to whole-group assess, at the same time reinforcing attributes.

Children become 3D shape detectives. You read clues from my list.  As students listen, they decide which shape is being described, then hold up that shape on their puppet stick. 

Teachers can see at a glance who is having difficulty.  Jot yourself a note, and work with these kiddos later. 

The packet also includes:

* Pocket Chart Cards
* Posters plus...
* Venn Diagrams, which are one of my favorite ways to teach comparison & contrast.  Because I teach all 4 shapes at the same time, this is a quick, easy & fun way to reinforce differences, so that students can easily describe & identify the shapes. 

Older students can do these individually or partner up to complete a worksheet, while younger kiddos can complete one as a whole group activity. There are also a number of ...

* Centers as well as...
* A variety of "Print & Go!" Worksheets.  One of my students favorites is "I Spy Real World Shapes", which is a color, cut & glue activity.
* Some of the worksheets & games double as interesting & fun Assessments.

*The 3-piece "match me up" Puzzles, plus the number strip Puzzles are another way to immerse children with the shapes.  The strip puzzles reinforce number recognition plus counting from 1-20 & skip counting by 10s.  I love hitting several standards with one activity.

There are activities for a variety of standards such as: sorting, patterning, graphing counting, attributes, groups/sets, simple addition & subtraction, as well as greater & less than.

I've also included a number of simple GAMES:
* “What Shape’s Hiding?”
* “ Four Corners”
* Memory Match
“ I Have; Who Has?
* “What’s Missing?”
“I Spy!
“* 3D Shapes on a Roll!”
* Spying Real World Shapes!
* “What Shape Am I?”

Finally, there are templates you can use as paper manipulatives.  Simply print, laminate & trim.  Students can pattern, sort, count, show groups & sets, as well as make equations & do simple addition & subtraction problems using the math symbol "tiles". 

The packet can be used for morning work, review, assessing, centers, whole-group activities, early finishers, homework or something for your Sub Tub. Click on the link 3D Shape Activities to zip on over to my TpT shop to take a look.

There are two featured FREEBIES today, both help reinforce the 3D shapes as well. One is a set of 3D posters that come in a variety of sizes so that you can use them as anchor charts, flashcards, bookmarks or for games. 

The other is an emergent reader: "Community Helpers Shape Up!"  I hope you find them useful.

I also found a cute 3-minute YouTube video where Exie the excavator is building a city with 3D shapes. Click the link to have a look.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

PTL the clouds have burst and the sky is soaking my thirsty garden. 

A wonderful respite from the hot & muggy weather we've been having. Wishing you a refreshing day.

"Some people feel the rain; others just get wet." -Roger Miller

1-2-3 Come Do Some 2D & 3D Shape Activities With Me

So that my students are interested and engaged, I’m always looking for different and creative ways for them to practice shapes.

Today's blog showcases my brand new puzzle game, along with the "oldie-but goodie" Lorax craftivity, just in time for a "Celebration of Seuss" for March Is Reading Month coming up.

First up are the 3 & 4-piece puzzles that feature 2D and 3D shapes, their attributes, as well as a “real world” example.

SHAPES INCLUDED:

* 2D shapes: circle, semi-circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart, star, & crescent.

* 3D shapes: sphere, cylinder, cone, cube, pyramid, rectangular prism & triangular prism.

Simply pick which shapes are appropriate for your students, then print the colorful patterns on card stock, laminate and trim. 

I’ve also included black and white templates so that students can make their own puzzles.

Children can put them together in an independent puzzle center. To make this a self-correcting activity, number the back of each piece: 1a, 1b, 1c etc.

Make an extra set to be used for a Memory Match or “I Have; Who Has?” game.
i.e. “I have the triangle word piece, who has the shape and “real life” example pieces?”

Students can also sort them into 2D and 3D shapes.  I’ve included 2 sorting mats for this.

For a whole group comprehension activity, toss the shape pieces into a container.
* Children choose one and give the attributes.  The color-copies have them listed, where as the BW patterns have this section of the puzzle blank.

OR…
* Children can give 3 clues about the shape card they are hiding; their classmates guess which shape they think is being described.

OR…
* Toss the “real life” picture pieces into a container. Students pick one and tell what shape it is. OR…
* Toss the word pieces into a basket. Children pick one, read the shape word, then draw a picture of that shape on the board.

To practice the “spatial direction” aspect of this standard as a whole group, have children pick a shape piece.
Call out directions for children to follow. i.e “Place your shape above, below, between, on, behind " etc.
You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

Students can also pick a piece and go on a shape hunt; listing,then totaling up how many items they found in your classroom that are that shape. I’ve included a worksheet for this.
 
Besides using them as individual puzzle pieces, I designed a variety of covers for both the 3-piece and 4-piece puzzles, so students can make an “Itty Bitty” 2D and/or 3D flip booklet.

These make a fun homework assignment, something for early finishers or struggling kiddos; as well as an interesting lesson for your sub tub. 

Next up is "Shapin' Up With The Lorax";  a quick, easy and fun craftivity, with a variety of game options.
It's one of my most popular shape craftivities.    

There's also an emergent reader, which practices capitalization and end punctuation too.

I’ve provided both 2D shapes as well as the four, 3D ones. 

Make a set to use for a bulletin board display. We always get tons of compliments on ours.

Make an extra set; cut them in half, and use as puzzles for an independent math center and an interesting way to review symmetry.

Play 4-Corner FREEZE; a game that practices a variety of life skills, like listening and following directions, as well as the 2D/3D shape vocabulary, plus recognition, and counting backwards from 10 to 0.

My kiddos absolutely LOVE this game. Easy-peasy for me, and only takes a few minutes, so it’s perfect for the end of the day. I’ve included directions in the packet.

You can also use the Lorax shapes as big flashcards. Hold one up. Children call out what shape it is, along with its attributes, like the number of vertices.

Play “Who’s Missing?” Display a set on the wall. After children leave, take one away. In the morning, children guess which one is missing.

I’ve also included a 2-on-a-one-page template, so children can pick their favorite shape and create their own Lorax.

For a cute keepsake idea, students can use their hand prints as the mustache, and add accordion-folded legs and arms. (Super fine motor practice!) 

Have older students write attributes on the back. 

There are TWO featured FREEBIES today: a 31-page, 2D-shape poster pack   as well as a 10-page, 3D shape set.

They come in a variety of sizes, so you can use them for anchor charts, a bulletin board, flashcards, centers & games.

I've also included a bookmark of the 2D-basic 6, & 3D-basic 4, which students can tuck in their math journals. 

Well that's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

It's 27 degrees out and snowing, so don't think spring will be along any time soon here in Michigan. 

Perfect weather to snuggle in and dream up some spring activities as an escape. 

Wishing you a cozy day.

"It's only cold if you're standing still." -Unknown