Lesson 3.1 Circles, Squares, Triangles, Rectangles

Steps

1. Warm-up

   Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.

   • Ask: “What number comes just after 1?” Listen for: 2
   • Ask: “What number comes just after 5?” Listen for: 6
   • Ask: “What number comes just before 5?” Listen for: 4
   • Ask: “What number comes just after 2?” Listen for: 3
   • Ask: “What number comes just after 3?” Listen for: 4
2. Teach the new idea

   Say this: “A triangle has 3 sides and 3 corners. A square has 4 equal sides. A rectangle has 4 sides, two long and two short. A circle is round with no corners.”

   Say this: “A shape keeps its name even when it is turned.”

   Say this: “Side: a straight edge of a shape.”

   Say this: “Corner: where two sides meet.”

3. Show how

   Show: How many sides does this shape have?

   

   Say this: “Count the straight sides as you go around: 1, 2, 3, 4.”

   Say this: “It is a rectangle with 4 sides.”

   Answer: 4

   Show: Name this shape.

   

   Say this: “It has 4 straight sides and 4 corners.”

   Say this: “It is a rectangle.”

   Answer: rectangle

4. Practice together

   Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.

   Ask: Name this shape.

   

   Listen for: square

   If stuck: It has 4 straight sides and 4 corners.

   Ask: Name this shape.

   

   Listen for: rectangle

   If stuck: It has 4 straight sides and 4 corners.

   Ask: Name this shape.

   

   Listen for: circle

   If stuck: It is round, with no sides or corners.

   7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.

5. Watch for
   • Calling a turned square a “diamond.” Turn the paper: it is still a square.
6. Game: I Spy Shapes

   Say “I spy something shaped like a circle.” Your child hunts for it. Then your child gives the clue and you hunt.

7. Narration

   Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”

   Listen for: Name four flat shapes.; Count sides and corners.

8. Scripture

   O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

   Shapes are everywhere in creation: round apples, the straight trunk of a tree, the six sides of a honeycomb cell.

9. Daily habit

   Go on a shape hunt around the house and yard: find a circle, a square, a triangle and a rectangle each day.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 15–20 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

1. Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
2. Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
3. Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
4. Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
5. Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.