Shape Detectives: Exploring 2D Shapes!

Math Grades 1st Grade 3:45 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's become shape detectives! We'll learn about flat shapes like circles, squares, and triangles, and discover their special features (attributes) like sides and corners. Get ready to find shapes all around you!

Video Resource

2D Shapes and Their Attributes - 1st Grade Math (1.GA.1)

Boddle Learning

Duration: 3:45
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Two-dimensional (2D) shapes are flat.
  • Shapes have attributes like sides and corners (vertices).
  • Different shapes have different numbers of sides and corners.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles.
  • Students will be able to describe shapes by their attributes (number of sides and corners).
  • Students will be able to identify real-world objects that resemble specific 2D shapes.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what shapes they already know. Show them various objects and ask what shapes they see in the classroom. Explain that today, we're going to become 'shape detectives' and learn all about different flat shapes.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Boddle Learning video: '2D Shapes and Their Attributes - 1st Grade Math (1.GA.1)'. Encourage students to pay attention to the names of the shapes and how many sides and corners each one has.
  • Shape Review (10 mins)
    After the video, review each shape. Draw each shape on the board and ask students to count the sides and corners with you. Use gestures to emphasize sides and corners.
  • Real-World Shape Hunt (10 mins)
    Have students look around the classroom for examples of each shape. Encourage them to describe the shapes by their attributes (e.g., 'I see a square window! It has 4 equal sides and 4 corners.').
  • Shape Sorting Activity (10 mins)
    Provide students with pre-cut shapes (circles, ovals, triangles, squares, rectangles). Have them sort the shapes into groups based on their attributes (e.g., shapes with 3 sides, shapes with no sides, shapes with 4 sides).

Interactive Exercises

  • Shape Collage
    Give each student construction paper, scissors, and glue. Have them create a collage using the pre-cut shapes to make a picture (e.g., a house, a robot, a person). Encourage them to describe the shapes they used in their picture.

Discussion Questions

  • What is your favorite shape and why?
  • Where have you seen these shapes outside of school?

Skills Developed

  • Shape identification
  • Attribute recognition
  • Critical thinking
  • Observation
  • Fine motor skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which shape has 3 sides?

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 2:

Which shape has no sides?

Correct Answer: Circle

Question 3:

Which shape has 4 equal sides?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 4:

A corner on a shape is also called a:

Correct Answer: Vertex

Question 5:

Which of these is a quadrilateral?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 6:

A flat shape is called:

Correct Answer: 2D

Question 7:

A _______ looks like a stretched circle.

Correct Answer: Oval

Question 8:

How many vertices does a square have?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

Which shape is like a stretched-out square where the opposite sides are equal?

Correct Answer: Rectangle

Question 10:

If a shape has four sides and four vertices, it is a :

Correct Answer: Quadrilateral

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A circle has no sides and no ________.

Correct Answer: corners

Question 2:

A triangle has three ________.

Correct Answer: sides

Question 3:

A square is a shape with four equal ________.

Correct Answer: sides

Question 4:

The corners of shapes are also called ________.

Correct Answer: vertices

Question 5:

A shape with four sides and four corners is a ________.

Correct Answer: quadrilateral

Question 6:

A flat shape is called a _____ shape.

Correct Answer: 2D

Question 7:

A ________ looks like a circle, but it is stretched out.

Correct Answer: oval

Question 8:

A pizza slice is shaped like a ________.

Correct Answer: triangle

Question 9:

A window is often in the shape of a ________ or rectangle.

Correct Answer: square

Question 10:

A rectangle has four sides and four ________.

Correct Answer: vertices

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.1:Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes. CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.2:Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. (Students do not need to learn formal names such as "right rectangular prism.")

Teaching Materials

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