We're Going on a Shape Hunt!

- ReadWriteThink

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ACTIVITY

We're Going on a Shape Hunt!

Grades

K2

Activity Time

30 to 60 minutes (can be done over different days)

Publisher

PREVIEW
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Were going on a shape hunt. Do you see a circle?
Shapes are everywherefrom the pancakes on our breakfast plates to the street signs around town. After sharing
a book about shapes and reviewing various shape models youve created, learning to spot them in the
environment is more than just a fun game for children. It also helps them tie together different skills such as
recognizing and identifying shapes and using words and pictures to describe their location. Just as important, this
activity will also give children a sense that they know something important, making it highly likely that their
shape-hunting skills will continue long after the game is over!
WHY THIS IS HELPFUL
Math and reading skills may seem a world apart, yet many activities can work to strengthen both at the same
time. Learning to identify shapes in the world around us is one of them.
When children look at shapes in a book, they learn to attach words to mathematical ideas. When they find these
same shapes around them, they begin to see how math connects to their world, which is just as important as
thinking critically, sorting, and naming, all skills theyll use to describe what and where the shape is.
This activity was modified from the ReadWriteThink lesson plan Going on a Shape Hunt: Integrating Math and
Literacy.

GET STARTED
WHAT YOU NEED
Construction paper and scissors, if cutting out two-dimensional shapes
A variety of shaped containers (such as an empty can, shoe box, or ring box) if demonstrating threedimensional shapes
Any shape-related picture book, such as The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns (Scholastic, 2008); Round Trip
by Ann Jonas (HarperCollins, 1990); Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet by Ann Whitford Paul

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(HarperCollins, 1996); or Round Is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong (Chronicle Books, 2000)
Shape Hunt Chant

HERE'S WHAT TO DO
1. Before beginning this activity, create several shapes to use as examples. Depending on the age and grade
level of the child, you may cut out your own simple, two-dimensional shapes (such as a square, circle,
triangle, rectangle) or you may choose to use empty containers to represent three-dimensional shapes (such
as a cylinder, cube, rectangular prism, or triangular prism). A few ideas to consider include
Having the child help you make and label the shapes if you think that he or she knows what they are and
would enjoy the review.
Covering any containers you use with plain paper so that the child can focus on the shape as opposed to its
contents (that is, a cylinder as opposed to an oatmeal container).
Using more "unusual" two-dimensional shapes such as ovals, trapezoids, or different kinds of triangles. This
can offer a chance to compare and talk about different shapes (for example, how is an oval different from
a circle?). For examples and definitions of both two- and three-dimensional shapes, please see Helpful
Information About Geometric Shapes and Solids.
2. Share a book about shapes. Some good examples include The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns, Round Trip by
Ann Jonas, Eight Hands Round by Ann Whitford Paul, and Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong, though
you may substitute any of your favorite shape-related books. After reading first for pleasure, go through the
book again, pointing to and talking about the various shapes illustrated on each page.
3. Introduce the concept that shapes are found not only on the pages of these books, but all around us. If you
are indoors, encourage the child to look around the room. What shape is the clock? The table? The mirror?
Point out that the book you just read is itself a shape! If you are outside, notice the shapes that occur in
nature. What shapes can be seen in the flowers and trees? How about the moon? And finally look for shapes in
familiar things, like the outside of the house or the family car. What shape is the front door? The roof? The
tire? The steering wheel?
4. Prepare for your hunt by singing the Shape Hunt Chant, a silly song that lets children know what shapes
theyre going to be searching for. Repeat the chant for each shape, holding up the example youve prepared
for the childs reference. Invite the child to take part by pausing after the line Do you see a? Then hold
up a shape and let the child call out its name.
5. Now youre ready to become shape hunters! As you sing the shape hunt chant, explore the world around you,
letting the child take the lead. When you reach the line that says, "Do you see a circle?" ask the child to find
and point to a circle in the environment. Do the same with each new shape that you have introduced. From
bicycle wheels to pizza slices, youll be amazed at how many shapes a child can find!

MORE IDEAS TO TRY

Make a list of all the different objects the child finds for each shape, then discuss your findings. Were there
more circles or triangles? Were there more squares or rectangles?
Visit the Colors and Shapespage on the Number Nut website to play shape-related games.

GLOSSARY

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Think
critically

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To think both logically and creatively about a topic using different kinds of information. When
people think critically, they not only attend to new words and ideas, but they also connect these
words and ideas with the things they already know.

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