Lakeshore take it to your seat geometry center!

I'm always looking for new hands on math items to add to my math goal tubs. I just received this Lakeshore center in the mail!
I cannot even explain how excited that I was to open it up and get started! Even though I'm not ready for it yet- I definitely busted it open and started playing away!

Here is what is included:

Of course I have to use things in as many ways as possible... I think only a teacher can think of 100 ways to use a baby food jar or paper plates.... So of course having this new shape baby got my reels moving. :-)

Included in the pack are rods of different lengths. :-).

How perfect are those for emphasizing one of our cc standards of lining items up in order of size? :-).

*They can also graph what shapes that they rolled, add the sides and angles (doubles facts) or add the sides/ angles of their first and second shape that they make or roll.  They can just use the die to go on a shape hunt for the shape that they rolled... endless possibilities!  :)

Then there is the main purpose- building the shapes themselves. What better way is there for a kiddo that learns hands on than to make a shape? This item reminds me of the marshmallow and toothpick center activity that has been out for ages. I have always skipped doing it because quite frankly- sharp objects (toothpicks) and 6 year olds often don't go well together!

However the rods are dull and not the least bit sharp! I can finally have my kiddos make shapes without having a million bandages close by!

This is going into my shape goal tub also with laminated making shape worksheets, geoboards, shape flash cards and shape templates.

Here is also a link to some awesome free shape printables! This is from Loryevans blogger page.  I downloaded all of these last year.  I love the little shape people!

I really want my kiddos to do well- but I also really want to see how much they love the new center!  :)  Perhaps we can have an exploration day for just shape things.  :)

2D Shapes

Ahh!  I am FINALLY finished!  It is nearing the end of the quarter and many of my little ones have still needed more 2D shape practice.  Using the motivational shape bags sure did the trick for MOST of my students!  I couldn't believe how hard and motivated that they worked just to eat half of a Little Debbie cupcake.  :)

I created this packet to use for independent practice.  The worksheets are simple and increase in difficulty ONLY slightly. 

Here is a peak:

You can pick yours up here!

Only ONE more day until a much needed weekend!

-Danielle

2D Shapes

I hope that you have had a relaxing weekend!

I have been busy finishing up my animal unit.  (It is almost complete!  I accidentally left the book I needed at school.)

I have also started my 2D shape unit.  I am bound and determine for my first graders to learn their 2D shapes.  I have even decided to make motivation bags.  These bags are full of yummy treats using most of the 2D shapes.

Here they are minus the pentagon and trapezoid:

Each bag is labeled with a child's name.  Next time I do this, I will allow the students to personally pick out their flavor choice so that it is extra motivating!

Here is what I used:

Circle

ellipse

Hexagons (next time I will just use the Little Debbie cakes because I had to hunt for good hexagons.)

Oops!  I took it upside down! :)  I cut these in half to make trapezoids.

I cut the ends off at an angle and then cut diagnol lines to make parallelograms.

I cut each cheese slice in half and chopped off the corners to make pentagons. I placed parchment paper between each slice so they won't stick.

I am going to go buy triangle shaped crackers tomorrow morning.

I also have tracing shapes, posters and other shape activities lined up for the week.  This is just a little bit more motivation for them to learn their shapes for good!  :)  Once they can tell me the shape, they can eat the shape.  I obviously will keep the cheese out of the bag!

Any cheap and fast ideas for octagons?

Have a great week!
-Danielle