A Place for a Shape

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Spread the shapes prepared for modeling on the floor or table.
• Hold up one shape.
• Ask students to name the shape.
• After students name the shape, have them identify the properties of the shape (number of sides, angles).
• Repeat the process for all of the prepared shapes.

Guided Practice

• Hold up a shape again, asking students to name the shape. Ask students if they see the shape's friend that looks just like it.
• Either have one student find the matching shape, or have the group point to the matching shape. Lay the two shapes side-by-side.
• Repeat the process two or three more times.

Independent working time

• Give each student a prepared grid with shapes pre-printed on it.
• If using construction paper shapes, give each student a glue stick.
• Tell your students that they need to be detectives and find the missing shape that matches each one in a box.
• Spread out the stickers or the prepared 1" shapes on the table, and tell students to start finding the matching shapes.
• If students are able to work independently, have them complete the entire grid. If students need more support, point to each box on the grid until the grid is completed.