First Graders go Hunting for Plane (2-D) and Solid (3-D) Shapes

To conclude our study of plane (2-D) and solid (3-D) shapes, the first graders went on a shape "hunt" throughout the lower school.  In groups of three, first graders set out to find a range of plane and solid shapes.  Their task was to find each of the shapes on their list somewhere in the Lower School and to snap a picture of each shape using an iPad.

The students did a great job finding a variety of shapes, including some that were harder to find such as pyramids.  As part of our study of shapes, we also learned about organic shapes, which unlike geometric shapes, are unpredictable and have flowing edges.  A couple of groups took a picture of a pillow for their rectangular prism section, and there was some disagreement about whether it was a rectangular prism or an organic shape.  This led to a great discussion about how we define shapes, and we looked carefully at the definition of a rectangular prism.  Since a rectangular prism has rectangles and squares as all of its six sides and a pillow does not, we decided that a pillow is an organic shape.

If you are looking for a fun home to school connection, why not go for a shape hunt in or around your home?  The shapes you can look for are the plane shapes (2-D) square, triangle, circle and rectangle, and the solid (3-D) shapes: cube, cylinder, rectangular prism, pyramid, sphere and cone.  If you do go on a shape hunt at home, feel free to send in some pictures!