Creating geometric sculptures can help young children become aware of spatial relationships, an important pre-geometry learning skill. Have children create marshmallow-and-toothpick sculptures on their own. Allow your students to create freely and use the materials in any way they choose. Once the class is comfortable with the materials, create examples of simple sculptures for them to copy, such as cubes and pyramids. For a more challenging activity, have children count out a specific amount of marshmallows and toothpicks and tell them they must create a certain shape using that number of items. For example, build a pyramid using five marshmallows and eight toothpicks. Have children work in small groups to collaborate on the sculpting process.
Creating graphs is a simple large group math activity that you can do as a class. Choose a subject for your graph, such as "What is your favorite color?" Allow each child in the class to vote for his favorite color. Set up the graph, and have the children record the findings to the question on the graph using rulers and different-colored markers.
Symmetry is the exact reflection of a shape on both sides of a dividing line. To simply explain this concept to first graders, prepare some fingerpaints and construction paper. Fold the paper in half and open it up again. Have the children paint on just one half of the paper, and then refold along the same line. Explain to the children how to open the paper and observe the symmetry they have created. Allow the children to discover symmetrical shapes by drawing, cutting out, and folding simple shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares.
Recognizing patterns and being able to repeat them is an important pre-math skill that will help children learn simple geometry, addition and subtraction. Use shapes cut from different-colored construction paper. To help children develop their fine motor skills, have them trace and cut out the shapes ahead of time. Create simple patterns for children to copy and repeat with the different-colored shapes. Make sure children are following both the color and the shape of the pattern. You can make this a large group activity by providing a long sheet of butcher paper on which the children can continue the patterns. When the lesson is finished, you will have a beautiful piece of artwork to display in your classroom.