How do you build spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills while doing something that is fun? With tangrams! In honor of Chinese New Year, this lesson introduces your students to the Chinese puzzle of tangrams.

Sorting takes on a new challenge for students in this activity which engages their critical thinking skills. As students determine defining attributes, they’ll figure out what makes a shape a shape!

Students will love composing shapes using tangrams in this hands-on lesson! Use this plan alone or as a support lesson plan for the Tangrams: An Ancient Chinese Puzzle lesson plan.

Detective time! In this lesson, your students will become shape detectives and go on a shape hunt to find the missing shapes on a grid.

Students will get hands-on experience manipulating shapes in this preschool-friendly activity. With the help of shape blocks and worksheets, little learners will get the hang of squares, triangles and rectangles in no time.

Give your students some early practice with shapes using this simple lesson. Young learners will have a great time creating shapes using pieces of string.