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Build with shapes

Arcomm · First edition, 2026-09-08 · References

Try it

  1. Turn a shape. What stays the same?
  2. Build a picture with pieces.
  3. Describe it so a friend can build it.

Use the shape pieces. Turn a triangle. Tell what stayed the same. Build a picture from shapes and describe it so a partner can build it. Sort the pieces by a rule you can explain.

Your materials

Open the pupil workbook PDF. Use pages 16, 46.

Cut-apart shape pieces and build page; adult prepares pieces if needed.

Teacher lesson plan

Learning goal

Describe, sort, and compose shapes by attributes.

Before teaching

Can notice and communicate a visible feature.

Model

Rotate a triangle and explain that its orientation changed while its straight sides and corners did not. Compare a triangle, square, rectangle, and circle. Explain that a square is a special rectangle with equal sides.

Guide, then apply

Sort by an explicit property, build a new figure from pieces, and ask a partner to reproduce it from a description. Use different sizes and orientations. Distinguish a flat shape drawing from a solid object.

Interpret the response

A triangle keeps three straight sides when rotated. Accept justified alternative sorts. If the child names by orientation or familiar object only, compare boundary features directly.

Support

Offer large or tactile pieces, allow pointing, and model spatial words while acting them out.

Extend when ready

Find different ways to compose the same outline and explain how the parts fit. Compare classroom solid objects by their surfaces and ability to roll or stack.

Fresh check

Show a long thin triangle in a new orientation and a curved three-lobed figure. Ask which fits the triangle rule and why.

Teacher plans PDF: page 16. Record exact support and revisit the idea later.

Keep learning

Next in this path: Find the repeating part · Choose a learning path

References and source dates

Sources and dates

Back to the classroom syllabus · Browse TK materials