Shape Up!: Shape Hunt + Matching + Spatial Words

Level 2 strengthens comprehension + application through reasoning and peer collaboration.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Large cutouts of basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) in various bright colours

Picture cards of family members (e.g., parent, sibling, grandparent, pet)

Small objects representing home items that are shaped like the target shapes (e.g., a round clock, a square book, a rectangular window frame, a triangular roof piece)

A large fabric sheet or mat (this will be our "home" mat)

Sticky tack or masking tape

Chart paper or whiteboard

Markers

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to identify and name basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).

Children will be able to locate and match shapes in their environment.

Children will use spatial language (e.g., "on," "in," "under," "next to") to describe the placement of shapes and family pictures.

Children will participate in a group activity, sharing their discoveries and ideas about shapes and their families.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children in a circle on the floor. Introduce the large shape cutouts. Say, "Today we are going on a shape hunt, just like we look for our family members in our home. Can you help me find all the circles? What about squares?"

2. Explicate the picture cards of family members. "This is a picture of [child's name]'s family. See, here is their grown-up, and here is their sibling!" Place one picture card on the "home" mat.

3. Take one shape cutout, for example, a circle. Ask, "Can anyone think of something in our classroom or in their home that looks like this circle? Maybe a clock from the kitchen?" Place the circle shape near the "home" mat.

4. Guide the children to search the classroom for objects that match the shapes you hold up. As they find a match, have them bring it to the "home" mat and place it using spatial words. "Yes, that circular clock is on the table!"

5. Once several shape objects are found, introduce the small home item objects. "This is a square book. Where can we put this square book next to the family picture on our home mat?"

6. Encourage children to use spatial words when placing family member picture cards and shape objects. "Can you put the triangular roof piece above the house picture?"

7. Display the chart paper. As children share what shapes they found and where, draw simple representations of the shapes and homes, labelling them with the children's words.

Educator Tip

To ensure all children can participate, offer tactile shape cards for children who benefit from touch. For safety, ensure small objects are age-appropriate and supervised. Involve families by sending home a simple "shape hunt" list for them to do together, asking children to draw or describe what they found.

Assessment

Observe children as they identify and name shapes. Note their ability to match shapes to objects and use spatial language during the activity. Collect drawings or recorded observations of children’s descriptions of shape locations and their connection to home and family.

Educator tip

Require complete thoughts; rotate roles; photograph work for portfolios.

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Anecdotal notes + product check.

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