SHIP SHAPE

How about some ideas for geometry? You can use these activities with young children or school age by adapting the shapes. You might even “spy” some of your state standards here!!!

The Shape Song (Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

Click to view Shape Song video

I am momma circle round like a pie. (Hands over head in a circle.)
I’m baby triangle three sides have I. (Use 3 fingers to make a triangle.)
I am papa square my sides are four. (Draw a square in the air.)
I’m cousin rectangle shaped like a door. (Draw a rectangle in the air and then knock.)

I am brother oval shaped like a zero. (Make oval with arms over head.)
I’m sister diamond with a sparkle and a glow. (Touch thumbs and index fingers and extend.)
We are the shapes that you all know. (Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and
Look for us wherever you go. place around your eyes like glasses.)

Note! Explain that “rhombus” is the correct term for the diamond shape. Sing the song calling sister a “rhombus” instead of a “diamond.”

*Have children draw shapes in the air with elbows, feet, noses, and other body parts.

*Place foam shapes or 3-dimensional shapes in a bottle filled with sand or salt. Children spin it around and try to identify the shapes. Can they draw the different shapes that they spy?

Body Shapes
Divide children into small groups and challenge them to lay on the floor and make various shapes with their bodies. How many friends will it take to make a triangle? A square? A pentagon? Take pictures and make a book.

*Make spyglasses for “spying” shapes by wrapping construction paper around paper towel rolls.

*Cut geometric shapes out of construction paper and let children use them to make a collage. Can they combine simple shapes to make larger shapes?

*Cut sponges into geometric shapes and have children dip them in paint and stamp on paper.

*Download highway shapes (free on the internet).  Children can drive around these with toy cars or they can roll play dough and place it on the shapes.

*Go on a walk and look for shapes in your school and on the playground.

Shape Book
Fold two sheets of paper in half and staple. Children decorate the front of their book with shapes. Next, they walk around the room and draw shapes that they see. Can they label the shapes?
*This would be a good homework activity to help children be more aware of the shapes around their home.

Play Dough Book
Draw lines, curves, and geometric shapes with a marker on file folders. Laminate. Bind file folders with rings to make a book. Children roll play dough and place it on top of the shapes.

Bendables
Offer children pipe cleaners, Wikki stix, etc. and challenge them to make various shapes with the items.

Pretzel Shapes
Give children pretzel sticks and pretzel twists and challenge them to make geometric shapes. How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a hexagon? How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a triangle?

*Challenge them to make letters with the pretzels. This is fun to do with a partner as they take turns making letters and identifying them.

GREAT TEACHERS 105

SONG CATCHER was a popular movie in 2000 about a musicologist who discovered a treasure of traditional English ballads that had been preserved in the mountains of Appalachia for over a hundred years. Her goal was to "catch" the songs, preserve them, and share them with the outside world.

I liked to think of myself as a TEACHER IDEA CATCHER. As I traveled across the United States I would invite teachers to share their ideas so I could keep them alive for you on my blog.

Focus Finger Play (Pat Kesler uses this before handwriting. It wires up the brain!)

Two tall telephone poles (Fists touching with index fingers pointing up.)

Across them a wire was strung. (Touch middle fingers.)

Two little birds hopped on ((Put thumbs up on middle fingers.)

And sung and sung and sung. (Swing fingers.)



Facebook (Ruth Lefko )


Take two boxes and write "Facebook In Box" on one and "Facebook Out Box" on the other. Provide children with scrap paper, pencils, and markers. Children fold a sheet of paper in half and draw their face or a picture on the front. Inside they write a note to the teacher or a friend and place it in the "In Box." The messages are delivered and then the teacher or friend write a reply and place it in the "Out Box." What a great idea to encourage writing!

Short Vowels (Joanne Poland)
Here’s an active way to help children remember short vowel sounds.at the chair – children stand at their chairs as you emphasize the short /a/
edge of the chair – children sit on the edge of their chairs = short /e/
in the chair – children sit in the chair – short /i/
on the chair – children stand on the chair – short /o/
under the chair – children crawl under the chair – short /u/

Name Game (Kristin Murray)
Put stickers on unifix cubes and write the letters in the children’s names.
-Count how many letters in each person’s name.
-Pair children up and see who has more, less, or the same.
-Graph names. Whose name is shorter, longer, or the same as the teacher’s name?

A Fuzzy Little Caterpillar (Leanne Hutchison, Jackson, TN)
(Tune: "I Had a Little Turtle")
A fuzzy little caterpillar wiggled right by me. (Wiggle index finger.)
He wiggled long. (Wiggle finger away.)
He wiggled short. (Wiggle finger close.)
He wiggled right at me. (Wiggle finger at your face.)
I put him in a box. (Cup hands.)
"Don't go away I said!" (Point finger.)
But when I opened up the box
There was a butterfly instead! (Clasp thumbs and wiggle fingers like a butterfly.)

*You can adapt this song for "I had a little tadpole...I put him in a jar... Don't go away I said. . But when I opened up the jar a frog hopped out instead!"

Word Bags
Prepare bags with different multi-sensory materials similar to those below. Children choose a bag, take it to their desk, and then spell words (sight words, vocabulary, spelling) using the material in the bag.
*Wikki sticks
*magnetic letters
*colored pencils for rainbow words
*alphabet stickers
*alphabet blocks
*dry erase board

Chant Sight Words (Becky Ashton, Indianapolis, IN)
HE - muscles up and say "h"
muscles up and say "e"
flex muscles and say "HE"
SHE - flick hair on "s"
flick hair on "h"
flick hair on "e"
hands on hips and say "SHE"

Yummy Words (Sarah Kilfoil)
Let each child select a favorite word - yummy word! It can be a favorite food, something they like to do, etc. Place the words in a pocket chart or word wall and use for attendance.

Back to Back
This is a great brain break that a teacher in Indianapolis demonstrated with us. Every child needs a partner and touches body parts as the teacher calls out:
back to back (touch backs)
shoulder to shoulder (touch shoulders)
elbow to elbow
knee to knee
head to head
wrist to wrist
feet to feet
hip to hip
Continue calling out vaious body parts...
End with "bottom to chair" as children sit down!

Can You Dig It? (Rachel Lawrence)
Hide magnetic numerals in a sand table. Each student is given a sheet with math facts appropriate to their level. During math centers they have to do their facts and then dig out the answers (magnetic letters) in the sand.
*You can also hide letters and have children spell words.

Shape Crackers (Pamela Pounds)
Send a note to parents the first week of school asking them to send crackers to help the children learn their shapes. (Ritz - circles, Club crackers - rectangles, Doritos - triangles, Wheat Thins - squares, and Town House crackers - ovals.)
*Give children two crackers and ask them to describe how they are different.
*Have children eat one half of a cracker.
*Give children a square cracker and challenge them to nibble it into a circle.
*Give children two like crackers. Ask, “Are they the same amount?” Next, have them break one of the crackers into little pieces. Ask, “Are they the same amount now?” You’ll be surprised at their response. (This is called conservation of quantity and is an experiment Piaget used to demonstrate developmental stages.
*Give children a sheet of paper. Pass out a square cracker to each child and tell the children to draw what it looks like on their paper. Next, give them a circle shaped cracker and ask them to draw it. Continue with other shapes. It’s a fun way to practice pre-writing skills.

BLOCK BOOK AND PLAY DOUGH BOOK

These books are a perfect way to integrate literacy in practical ways in learning centers. Children will be engineers and mathematicians as they develop small motor skills and eye-hand coordination.


BLOCK BOOK
1. Cut small squares and rectangles similar to unit blocks out of construction paper.
2. Arrange on file folders to make structures similar to the ones shown.



3. Punch holes and bind together to make a book.
4. Place in the block center and challenge children to look at the designs and then make them with the blocks.
5. Can they look at the design and then turn it over and make it without looking?


PLAY DOUGH BOOK
1. Write “Can you make lines?” at the top of one folder.
Make lines similar to the one shown.

2. Draw curves on another folder and write “Can you make curves?” at the top.

3. Make shapes (square, rectangle, circle, triangle) on another folder and write “Can you make shapes?”

4. Draw simple objects (nest and eggs, hotdogs, bunny, etc.) on the last folder and write “What else can you make?”

5. Punch holes in the folders and attach with book rings.

6. Place the book in a center with play dough and challenge the children to roll the dough and place it on top of the lines and shapes.

SHAPES

How about some ideas for geometry? You can use these activities with young children or school age by adapting the shapes. You might even “spy” some of your state standards here!!!

The Shape Song (Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

Click to view

I am momma circle round like a pie. (Hands over head in a circle.)
I’m baby triangle three sides have I. (Use 3 fingers to make a triangle.)
I am papa square my sides are four. (Draw a square in the air.)
I’m cousin rectangle shaped like a door. (Draw a rectangle in the air and then knock.)

I am brother oval shaped like a zero. (Make oval with arms over head.)
I’m sister diamond with a sparkle and a glow. (Touch thumbs and index fingers and extend.)
We are the shapes that you all know. (Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and
Look for us wherever you go. place around your eyes like glasses.)

Note! Explain that “rhombus” is the correct term for the diamond shape. Sing the song calling sister a “rhombus” instead of a “diamond.”

*Have children draw shapes in the air with elbows, feet, noses, and other body parts.

I SPY!

*Place foam shapes or 3-dimensional shapes in a bottle filled with sand or salt. Children spin it around and try to identify the shapes. Can they draw the different shapes that they spy?


Body Shapes
Divide children into small groups and challenge them to lay on the floor and make various shapes with their bodies. How many friends will it take to make a triangle? A square? A pentagon? Take pictures and make a book.

*Make spyglasses for “spying” shapes by wrapping construction paper around paper towel rolls.

*Cut geometric shapes out of construction paper and let children use them to make a collage. 

*Can they combine simple shapes to make larger shapes?

*Cut sponges into geometric shapes and have children dip them in paint and stamp on paper.


Shape Book
Fold two sheets of paper in half and staple. Children decorate the front of their book with shapes. Next, they walk around the room and draw shapes that they see. Can they label the shapes?
*This would be a good homework activity to help children be more aware of the shapes around their home.

Bendables
Offer children pipe cleaners, Wikki stix, etc. and challenge them to make various shapes with the items.

Pretzel Shapes
Give children pretzel sticks and pretzel twists and challenge them to make geometric shapes. How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a hexagon? How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a triangle?

*Challenge them to make letters with the pretzels. This is fun to do with a partner as they take turns making letters and identifying them.

MATH CENTER

WHY?

Children will have opportunities to count, sort, make patterns, measure, explore shapes, make comparisons, and join and separate sets in the math center. Small motor skills, problem-solving, and social skills will also be developed.

Create a special area in your classroom where children can “discover” and reinforce math concepts. You will need a table, shelf, and baskets, shoe boxes, and plastic tubs to store materials. Label each container with the name and a picture of the item. Model how to use the materials and clean up. Begin by putting out one activity at a time. When children have learned how to use one activity and clean up, then add another. Children should have several choices, but don’t overwhelm them with too many materials at once.


Materials

Counters: shells, rocks, buttons, toothpicks, keys, bottle caps, peanuts, pasta, paint chips, erasers, small toys, craft sticks, birthday candles, hair bows, small cars, crayons, party favors, leaves

Sorting: sorting box, divided serving dishes, flannel board and felt pieces

One-to-One: muffin pan, ice cube tray

Numbers: dice, deck of cards, number puzzles, tactile numerals, dominoes, board games, dot cards, ten frame

Patterns: pattern blocks, sewing beads, peg board, unifix cubes

Writing: chalkboard, wipe off board, paper, pencils

Counting: dice, number line, hundreds chart, counting cubes, rekenrek

Geometry: geoboard, felt shapes, attribute blocks, 3 dimensional shapes

Time: toy clock, stop watch, minute timer

Money: play money, US coins, foreign coins, coupons

Measurement: ruler, tape measure, balance scale, measuring cups and spoons

Addition: unifix cubes, calculator, games

What else? computer, play telephone, counting books, number poster, board games

Hint! Relate counters and math manipulatives to seasons or themes. For example, if you are doing an ocean unit, have shells to count and sort. In the fall, you might want to have nuts or leaves in the math center.


JUST FOR FUN!
Cut basic geometric shapes (square, triangle, rectangle, oval, rhombus, circle) out of cardboard or fun foam. Let the children take the shapes and match them to something in the classroom with a similar shape.

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?

Here's a simple "hands on" activity that you can use this week.  Children can "save" sight words, letters, math facts, colors, shapes, and other skills you want them to master in their wallets.

How to Make a Wallet

Materials: construction paper 9” x 12”, markers, green paper cut 4” x 2”

1st Place the paper lengthwise and fold up the bottom to an inch from the top.

2nd Fold in half.

3rd Open and glue both sides.

4th Let the children decorate the outside.

5th Cut 4 ½ ” x 2 ¼ ” green rectangles and write high frequency words on them.
When children learn a word they get to “save” it in their wallets.

Letter Wallets
Younger children could save letters, numbers, or shapes in their wallets.


Math Wallets - Write addition and subtraction facts on dollars and save them in math wallets.

Vocabulary - Have children write vocabulary words on dollars and store them in their wallets.

SEALED AND DELIVERED

Here are more ideas "sealed and delivered" in envelopes.

Letters
Write the uppercase letter on one side and the lowercase letter on the other side.
Sing the “Hokey Pokey” with the letter puppet.
You put your (letter) in,
You take your (letter) out,
You put your (letter) in
And you shake it all about.
You make the (letter sound)
And then you put it down.

Listen Up
Children listen as you say words. If the word starts with that sound they hold their puppet up. If it doesn’t start with that sound they keep their puppet down.

Shapes
Glue shapes to envelopes and pass out to students. Children listen and then respond as you sing this song to the tune of “If You’re Happy.”
If you have a circle stand up.
If you have a square stand up.
If you have a rectangle stand up.
If you have a triangle stand up.
*Adapt for other shapes, as well as three-dimensional shapes.

*Use shapes to reinforce positional words. Can you put your shape ON your head? Can you put your shape BEHIND you? Can you put your shape UNDER your chin?

I Have - Who Has Numbers?
Seal envelopes, cut them in half, and then write numbers on the envelopes. (You will need one for each child in your class). Pass out envelopes and have the child with 1 say: I have 1. Who has 2?
The child with 2 says: I have 2. Who has 3? And so forth.
*Count backwards: I have 20. Who has 19?
*You can also play this game with alphabet letters.

High Five Words
Write sight words on envelopes. Children walk around the room giving a high five and reading each other’s words.

Missing Fingers
Hide several fingers in the envelope. Can the children tell how many you have in the envelope? How did you know that?

Note!  Here's the video I did if you want to see these activities demonstrated: 

 http://bit.ly/drjean_classenvelope

OLDIES, BUT GOODIES

I was looking through old photos and I found several pictures that are worth a “thousand words.”

Occupation in a Bag (Megan Pope) 

When studying community helpers, send home a paper bag with each student. Ask them to put in items that explain what their parents do. This is great for parents who are too busy to come in and speak about their job.

Song Balloons (Kathleen Salazar)

Cut paper balloons out of construction paper and write the names of songs on the balloons. Spread them out at circle time and let children take turns picking a “balloon” for the class to sing. 


*Write the names of songs on strips of paper and place them in plastic eggs. Children pick an egg and then open it to see what song they will sing.

Stickies
Purchase vinyl stickies at the dollar store. Let children arrange them on pizza pans (also from the dollar store).

Where Is Square? 

Use the tune from “Where Is Thumbkin?” to reinforce colors, shapes, numerals, letters, etc. For example, children could each have a set of cards with the shapes (colors, words, letters, etc.) drawn on them. Store these in zip sandwich bags or lunch bags. Ask them to hold up the appropriate shape as you song: 

Something New!

How about a new video about an "oldie, but goodie" song?

Click to view video

ACTIVE WRITING

Why teach children to write with their wrist when you can get so much more movement with one of these strategies?  Use these movements for letters, numerals, shapes, words, etc.


Invisible Writing
Children extend the middle and index finger and write in the air as they keep their elbow stiff.

Noodle
To practice writing numerals, letters, etc. give children a 9” inch section of a swim noodle. They can use both hands to write in the air (activates both sides of the brain.) Say, “Statue of Liberty” when you want them to listen and hold their noodles in the air.

Palm Pilot 
Children hold up one palm and trace letters on it with the index finger from the other hand. Take it to the brain! 

Midline Writing
Activate both sides of the brain by extending the index finger from both hands as you write in the air.

Tummy Writing
Children lay on the floor and extend one finger above their head. Children use that finger to trace shapes, letters, etc. on the floor.

Back Writing
Children practice writing on each other’s backs.

Hint! Stand in a circle and face right. The teacher models how to write on the first child’s back. The first child repeats it on the second child’s back and it continues around the circle.

Body Parts
Practice making shapes, letters and numerals in the air with different body parts, such as the elbow, foot, nose, belly button, chin, etc.

Hint! Let a different child choose the body part you use each day.

Letter Claps
Hold hands in the air touching and make little claps as you make the shape of the letter and alliterate the sound.

More! Let children write letters with shaving cream on a table, in the sandbox, on the board with a wet sponge, or with chalk on the sidewalk.

EAT AND LEARN

Note! I realize that some schools do not allow "outside food." However, I know from experience that if they EAT it they will REMEMBER it! You can always share these ideas with families if you can't do them at school.

Cereal Math
Fill sandwich bags with with ½ cup of mixed cereal, such as Fruit Loops. Children can practice the following.

· Estimation- How many pieces are in your bag?

· Counting- Count and see how many you have. Did you estimate more or less? Is it an odd or even number?

· Sorting- Sort the cereal by color, shape, or size.

· Patterning- Can you make a pattern with your cereal?

 Addition and Subtraction - Demonstrate addition with the cereal or subtraction by eating it!


Graham Crackers
Give each child a large graham cracker. What shape is it? Break it in half. What shape is it now? Break the squares in half. What shape do you have now?

*Let children nibble saltines to make circles and triangles.



Pretzel Shapes
Give children pretzel sticks and pretzel twists and challenge them to make geometric shapes. How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a hexagon? How many pretzel sticks will you need to make a triangle?

*Challenge them to make letters with the pretzels. This is fun to do with a partner as they take turns making letters and identifying them.


Three Dimensional Shapes
What could you eat that's a sphere? Cone? Cube? Pyramid?