Forget a jeep in Africa. You can head out for a safari right in your own neighborhood. Instead of hunting lions and tigers, you'll troll for circles and triangles. Why? Because shapes are at the heart of the first grade math and writing curriculum. Plus, a hunt through the backyard is just plain fun!
The next time your child's around the house looking for something to do, pack a picnic and head outside for this easy, fun family activity.
What You Need:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Something to write on (clipboard/book)
What You Do:
- Set the stage. Announce that you will be going on a “shape safari” and set a challenge goal: five circles, six triangles, three rectangles—this can be different every time. Also decide who will be the recorder—if your child likes to write, he can do it; or you may need to share this task.
- Set up the game. Hold your paper horizontally, and fold it into fourths. Open it again, and draw a column along each fold line, to make four columns all told. At the top of each column, draw a shape and label it. This helps your child know what you are specifically looking for and reinforces the names and description of shapes.
- Search! Either on a walk outside (weather permitting) or inside (house, library, etc.) have the recorder make a list of objects. Place each one in its correct column.
Fun Step Further: Once kids get the hang of this activity, the possibilities are endless. Are there any objects listed that have more than one shape? How about a shape inside a shape? What shape was found most frequently? Why does your child think that shape is seen the most?
No matter what the answers, the questions themselves, and your conversations, will all be powerful learning opportunities—and, with luck, the source of some happy family memories too.
By Alicia Danyali
Alicia Danyali, BS Elementary Education, taught primary-level students for four years at the International School of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The last four years of her teaching career, she taught at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C. She recently completed writing a series of children's picture books and is a mother of one young son.
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