Lesson 4: Christmas Tree Shapes

Author:CharlyHolik
Datecreated:12/04/201610:39PMCDTDatemodified:12/06/201611:50AMCDT

VITALINFORMATION
Date December 5, 2016

Subject(s) Lesson Plan 3, Mathematics

Topic/Unit of Study & Time Geometry: identifying 2-D shapes

Allotment

Grade/Level Kindergarten

Standards (TEKS)
TX- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) (2012)
Chapter: Chapter 111. Mathematics
Subchapter: Elementary
Grade/Course: Kindergarten
Standard:
(6) Geometry and measurement. The student applies mathematical process standards to analyze attributes of two-dimensional shapes and
three-dimensional solids to develop generalizations about their properties. The student is expected to:
Student Expectation:
(A) identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares as special rectangles;

Objective Purpose: The student will be able to identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles and squares as
special rectangles.

Learning Goal: Students will accurately identify and construct two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles,
rectangles, and squares as special rectangles.

LOTS: The student will identify two-dimensional shapes as circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.

HOTS: The student will construct two-dimensional shapes as circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.

Summary Students will use play dough to practice constructing 2-D shapes including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares. Next
students will practice identifying 2-D shapes including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares as they decorate a
Christmas tree with those shapes.

IMPLEMENTATION
Background Knowledge
Materials Large cutouts of circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares (3 different sizes of each)

Bag of small self adhesive foam shapes (10-15 shapes per student)

Blank Christmas Tree Handout (1 per student)

"How many ornaments are on my tree?" Handout (1 per student)

Play Dough (1 per student)

2-D Shape Outline (1 per student)

Crayons and pencils

Extension: Red construction paper and pattern blocks

Attachments:

1. 2-D shape outlines.docx

2. Christmas Tree Blank.gif
3. How many ornaments are on my tree.docx

Introduction I will begin the lesson by giving each student a "mystery bag" to feel around in but not to look into. There will be four bags
each with one shape. Students will have the opportunity to feel the object in their bag and guess what it is. I will have students
give an explanation for their guesses and then we will reveal the items one by one. We will discuss as needed. (This will give

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 me a good look into their prior knowledge.)

Procedure
1. I will model the activity first in front of the group. I will introduce a shape for example a circle. Then, I will pick one of
the circle outlines and I will construct a circle over the outline with play dough. I will ask the students, "What does a
circle look like?" or "How do you know this is a circle?"
2. I will pass out the play dough and allow the students to play with it before it turns into a "learning tool."

ACTIVITY ONE:

1. I will then hand out the same circle outline I just used and regain their attention. I will ask them to construct that circle.
2. Then, we will choose a different sized circle and construct it together. I will ask the students, "How are both of these
shapes a circle if they aren't exactly the same?" Allow students to discuss.
3. To continue this activity I will ask students to pick new shape outlines and we will discuss those shapes, their
differences, and similarities. Repeat until each shape has been constructed and discussed at least twice. Ask students
to describe the shape every time! (When we get to the square, I will specifically define the square as a special
rectangle.)

ACTIVITY TWO:

1. To begin the second activity I will have students put up their play dough, clear their desks, and get a pencil.
2. Then I will pass out a Christmas tree outline to each student and color their tree green. (If you can copy on green
paper, you can skip this step.)
3. Then, I will regain their full attention and explain the activity. "For this activity, you are going to decorate your
Christmas tree with ornaments. We have square, triangle, rectangle, and circle shaped ornaments to use. (Hold up
ornaments as you talk to reinforce their knowledge of each shape.)
4. Ask a student to remind us what we are going to be doing. (Repeat instructions)
5. Pass out a reasonable amount of ornaments to each student (Each student should get the same total amount but not
necessarily the same of each shape.) Tell students they can use all of their ornaments they are given but they do not
have to.
6. Allow students to decorate their trees.
7. Hand out "How many ornaments are on my tree?" half sheet and read/discuss the instructions as needed. Have
students count out how many ornaments of each shape they have on their tree and write it on their paper. Monitor
and redirect as needed.
8. Allow student to show their tree to their elbow buddy and share how many of each shape are on it.

Closure Iwillaskthestudents:"Whatdidyoulearntoday?""Whataresomeofthedifferentshapeswelearnedabout?""Whatdoesacirclelooklike?"
"Canyoushowmewhatacirclelookslike?"(Airtracing,usingtheirfinger,etc.)Repeatwitheachshapewelearnedabout.Then,wewillhave
abriefdiscussionaboutwhythisisimportantforstudentstoknow.(Addhowtrafficsignsaredifferentshapessodrivershavetoknowwhat
shapethesignsaretobesafedrivers.)

ASSESSMENTAndEXTENSIONACTIVITY
Assessment/Rubrics The students were able to accurately identify and construct two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles,
and squares as special rectangles. See stapled checklist.

Attachments:

1. 2-d shapes checklist.docx

Extension Activity
Allow students to cut out their tree and glue it and their "How many..." handout to a red sheet of construction paper.
These can be hung in the hall to show what students learned and share Christmas cheer!
Allow students to identify and construct shapes with pattern blocks.

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