Summary
Students will complete a variety of activities that will help them identify triangles and create their own triangles.
Materials
-
- Triangles
- Various types of triangles
- Triangle Pattern Blocks
- Chart paper
- Marker
- Scissors
- Straws
- Pipe cleaners
- Triangle Huntpdf
- Crayons
- Triangle Pointers
- Triangular objects
- Triangle Class Book Pagepdf
- Pencils
Additional Resources
Books
- 20 Instant Math Learning Centers Kids Will Love!, by Traci Ferguson Geiser and Krista Pettit;
ISBN 0439227291 (Scholastic)
- Bear in a Square, by Stella Blackstone; ISBN 1846860555
- Centered on Success Grade K, by the Mailbox; TEC 60819
- Circles, by Jan Kottke; ISBN 051623000X
- Circles, Triangles and Squares, by Tana Hoban; ISBN 0027448304
- Circus Shapes, by Stuart J. Murphy; ISBN 0064467139
- Color Farm, by Lois Ehlert; ISBN 0440847095
- Color Zoo, by Lois Ehlert; ISBN 0397322593
- Geometric Shapes, by Mary J. Kurth; ISBN 3055402625
- The Greedy Triangle, by Marilyn Burns; ISBN 0590489925
- Hands-On Math: K-1, by Virginia Johnson (Edited by Janet Bruno); ISBN 3055402600 (CTP
2600)
- Icky Bug Shapes, by Jerry Pallotta; ISBN 0439389186
- Instant Math Centers: K-1, by Creative Teaching Press; ISBN 1574716891 (CTP 2597)
- Learning Center Collection Math Grade K, by The Mailbox; TEC 60863
- Math: Make It Your Way, by Keri King, and Kari Sickman (Edited by Teri L. Fisch; ISBN
1574718991 (CTP 2576)
- Math Tub Topics: K-2, by Creative Teaching Press; ISBN 1574719548 (CTP 2812)
- The Missing Piece, by Shel Silverstein; ISBN 0060256710
- My First Book of Shapes, by Eric Carle; ISBN 0399243879
- Rectangles, by Jennifer S. Burke; ISBN 0516230026
- Round and Round and Round, by Tana Hoban; ISBN 059033364X
- Sea Shapes, by Suse MacDonald; ISBN 0439276683
- The Shape of Things, by Dayle Ann Dodds; ISBN 1564026981
- Shapes and Things, by Tana Hoban; ISBN 0027440605
- Shapes, Shapes, Shapes, by Tana Hoban; ISBN 0688147402
- Shapes: Thematic Unit, by Jennifer Overend Prior, M. Ed.; ISBN 1576906159
- Shape Up! by David A. Alder; ISBN 0823416380
- Squares, by Jennifer S. Burke; ISBN 0516230786
- Take it to Your Seat Math Centers K-1, by Jill Norris; ISBN 1557999317
- Triangles, by Jennifer S. Burke; ISBN 0516230050
- Ten Black Dots, by Donald Crews; ISBN 0688135749
- What is Round? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich; ISBN 043915944X
- What is Square? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich; ISBN 0439159458
- What's the Shape? by Judy Nayer.
Media
Background for Teachers
Geometry is the study of the property and relationships of points,
lines, angles, surfaces and solids. Geometric shapes can be dated back
15,000 years. Geometric shapes were drawn on ancient artifacts and
cave walls. Plane geometry is the study of two-dimensional objects in
one plane. Two-dimensional objects have length, width, and area but
no volume.
As teachers, we need to be careful about the terminology we use
when teaching children about geometric shapes. Correct vocabulary
should be used especially in kindergarten. Below is a list of important
words to use with kindergartners.
Circle--a round figure where each point is the same distance from
the center
Equilateral Triangle--a type of triangle where all sides are the same length
Isosceles Triangle--a type of triangle where two sides are the same
length
Plane shape--a figure that lies flat on a flat surface; also known as
two-dimensional objects
Quadrilateral--plane shape with four sides and four points
Rectangle--a special quadrilateral with four points, four right
angels, and four sides where two sides are parallel with each other of
the same length and the other two sides are parallel with each other of
the same length
Scalene Triangle--a type of triangle where all sides are a different
length
Square--a special quadrilateral with four points and four sides
where all four sides are the same length and form four right angles
Triangle--plane shape with three sides and three points
Definitions adapted from: Cavanagh, M.C., (2000). Math To Know:
A Mathematics Handbook. Great Source Education Group: Wilmington,
MA.
Teachers need to use examples of all kinds of triangles (equilateral,
scalene, and isosceles) and rectangles, in many different sizes and
orientations. Students in kindergarten will be able to identify shapes of
all different forms and sizes if we teach them about the many different
ways they will see shapes all around them. The majority of teacher
supplies available only offer equilateral triangles and vertical rectangles.
As teachers, we may need to make additional examples of triangles and
rectangles to use during teaching.
This lesson is written for triangles. This same lesson could be
adapted for rectangles, squares and circles also. This lesson is not the
only lesson you would use to teach triangles but would be a part of
several lessons on triangles. Below, there is a list of attributes (along
with a few misconceptions of rectangles) for each of the four shapes
kindergartners must be able to identify, name and draw (the list of
attributes and misconceptions about triangles are included in the
lesson on triangles).
A few examples of attributes for squares are as follows:
- Squares have four equal sides
- Squares have four points or corners which form right angles
- Squares can be turned many different ways
- Squares are rectangles
A few examples of attributes of circles are as follows:
- A round figure where each point is the same distance from the
center
- A circle is formed by one continuous line which is connected
A few examples of attributes for rectangles are as follows:
- Rectangles have four sides
- Rectangles have four points, corners, or angles
- Rectangles have four right angles
- Rectangles opposite sides are the same length (congruent)
- All sides of a rectangle are straight
- All four sides of a rectangle are connected
- Rectangles can be turned many different ways
Some of the common misconceptions of rectangles are as follows:
- Rectangles are always long
- Rectangles have two long sides and two short sides
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a positive learning attitude.
2. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
3. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written and nonverbal form.
Instructional Procedures
Invitation to Learn
Read the book Triangles (or another book about Triangles). While
reading, have the students identify triangles throughout the book and
discuss their attributes.
Instructional Procedures
- Gather students together and display several different types of
triangles on the board. Provide each child or pair of students a
triangle pattern block manipulative to examine. After students
have had a few minutes to look at their triangle, have them
discuss with a partner the things they have noticed about
triangles.
- As a class, discuss the attributes of a triangle. As students offer
suggestions, record the attributes on a chart paper entitled
"Triangles." Be sure to use correct verbiage when discussing
the attributes of triangles. A few examples of attributes for
triangles are as follows:
• Triangles have three sides
• Triangles have three points, corners, or angles
• All sides of a triangle are straight
• All three sides of a triangle are connected
• Triangles can be turned many different ways
Some of the common misconceptions of triangles are as follows:
• Triangles have one point at the top and two points at the
bottom
• The bottom of a triangle is flat
• Triangles have a point on top
- Give each child one straw. Have them cut their straw in two
places (so they have three pieces), which will form the sides of
their triangle. Next, give each child three 11/2-inch pieces of
pipe cleaner that can be bent to form the angles of their triangle.
Encourage students to make triangles with their straws and pipe
cleaners.
- Give each student a Triangle Hunt worksheet to complete.
- After discussing and reviewing again the attributes of triangles
written on the chart paper, give each child a small magnifying
glass or Triangle Pointer. (A Triangle Pointer can be made
by gluing a small triangle made from paper or craft foam to
the end of a tongue depressor or Popsicle stick or could be drawn on with a marker for students to use as a reference.)
Send students on a Shape Search for triangles around the
classroom. Encourage the students to name each triangle
they see as they circulate around the classroom. You may
want to hang up additional triangles (of all different types,
sizes and orientations) around the room so the students will
have plenty to find. You will also want to make sure there
are several objects and pictures, which include triangles and
triangular shapes for students to find. (Please note that many
of your triangular objects are going to be three-dimensional
solid geometric figures. Just encourage the students to look for
triangular shapes on the three-dimensional objects.)
- After the students have searched the room for triangles, call
them back to the meeting area and allow students time to tell a
partner all the places they found a triangle.
- Give each child a Triangle Class Book Page to record what
triangles they found. Students will need to write the word
triangle on their paper. You can either write it on the board for
them to copy in their book or encourage the students to write it
on their own. Students will also need to record what a triangle
is. Collect papers and bind into a class book for the classroom
library.
- After students complete their Triangle Class Book Page, you
could set up a variety of centers focusing on Shapes they could
choose until your math time is over (suggestions for centers are
found in the Curriculum Extensions/Adaptations/Integration
section of this lesson).
Extensions
- For students who are having difficulty drawing a triangle, the
teacher could draw three dots on their paper and encourage the
student to connect the dots. As time goes on, children can draw
their own dots before drawing a triangle, if needed.
- Provide several centers focusing on shapes.
- Geoboard Shapes--Provide the center with Geoboards, rubber
bands, Geoboard papers and shape cards (circle, square,
rectangle and triangle). Have students make each shape on
their Geoboard and record their shapes on Geoboard papers.
- Shape Dominos--Provide center with Shape Dominos. Using
a 3" x 6" sheet of black construction paper, create dominos
by adding two shapes to each sheet. Make a wide variety of
dominos using circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. Allow
students to draw a certain amount of dominos and have them
take turns matching like shapes together.
- Sand Drawings--Provide the center with small bowls (like the
Ziploc Throw Away Sandwich bowls 5" X 5" X 1") with a thin
layer of sand or salt in the bottom, shape cards, paper, crayons
and pencils. Encourage students to draw a card and then
using their finger, draw the shape in the sand. Have students
record their drawings on their paper.
- Textured Shape Rubbings--Provide the center with textured
shape cards (shapes cut out of corrugated paper, sandpaper,
corduroy fabric, textured wallpaper, etc.), unwrapped crayons
and 1/4 sheets of paper. Have students make rubbings, using
the side of a crayon, of several different shapes. Students can
label each of their shapes with their correct name. Pages can
be stamped into a little book to take home.
- Shape Sorting--Provide center with a Shape Sorting Mat,
shapes to sort (die cut paper shapes, foam shapes, or
manipulative shapes), paper, and crayons. Have students sort
shapes according to circle, square, rectangle, or triangle. Have
students draw a picture using several shapes.
Family Connections
- Send home a letter to parents encouraging families to go on
a Family Shape Hunt together. Family members can all draw
pictures of the things they find on the Family Shape Hunt.
- While learning about shapes, teach your class a simple song
about each shape. Encourage students to teach the songs to
their families. Many simple songs can be found on the Internet.
Several songs for each shape can be found at www.littlegiraffes.com/shapes.html
- Allow students to take turns taking home the Triangle Class
Book to share with their families.
Assessment Plan
- During the Shape Search, observe students as they identify
triangles. Are they able to find them quickly and correctly on
their own? Are they looking at their classmates for help? Are
they misidentifying shapes? Make a note of any students who
are struggling to find triangles.
- During Math Centers, walk around and make notes of student
behaviors, conversations and any thought processes you
observe. Note any areas of difficulty or mastery of shapes.
- Student's Triangle Hunt sheets can be collected for assessment
and placed in a portfolio.
- Observe students and listen to the interaction and conversation
they are having during the whole group discussion on shapes.
Bibliography
Research Basis
Clements, D.H., & Sarama, J., (2000). Young children's ideas about geometric shapes.
Teaching Children Mathematics, 6(8), 482-488.
Clement and Sarama identified three levels of geometric shape
understanding in young children. In the prerecognition level, children
are "unable to identify and distinguish among many shapes." When
children are able to identify a shape by the way it looks, they are in
the visual level. The final level, the descriptive level, students are
able to identify and communicate the specific properties that make up
individual shapes. Teachers need to provide examples of all types and
kinds of squares, rectangles, triangles and circles when teaching shapes.
Clements, D.H., Wilson, D.C., & Sarama, J. (2004). Young children's composition of
geometric figures: a learning trajectory. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 6(2), 163- 184.
Young children have been found to follow a developmental path in
their thinking as they learn about two-dimensional geometric shapes
through hands on experiences. This developmental sequence begins
with children unable to create shapes. Next, children learn to combine
shapes by trial and error first and then they begin to combine shapes
to make pictures through an understanding of the shape's attributes.
Finally, children are able to use a grouping of shapes to create a new
shape.
Hannibal, M.A., (1999). Young children's developing understanding of geometric
shapes. Teaching Children Mathematics, 5(6), 353-357.
Students need to be able to identify and verbalize key attributes of
basic shapes. Students need to be taught the difference between and
a point and side. Teachers need to use correct terms and vocabulary
when teaching geometric shapes to young children. A variety of sizes
and types of triangles and rectangles need to be used when teaching
shapes so students will be able to identify each shape in its various
forms.