Start the lesson by beginning to draw a simple geometric shape on the chalkboard. A triangle or square is a good place to start.
Ask the class, "What shape do you think I am going to draw?"
Continue drawing the shape while watching for children to raise their hands. Call on the children to answer as their hands go up. If the answer that is given is correct, finish drawing the shape.
Ask the students, "Can you tell me where you might have seen this shape before?" This should initiate a guided discussion on items such as street signs, household items or things in the classroom.
Repeat Steps 1 to 4 for each basic shape: triangle, square, rectangle, circle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon and decagon.
Tell the students that they will be playing a game with a partner.
Divide the students into pairs. Give each pair a whiteboard, dry erase marker, paper towels and a list of the shapes you have been discussing.
Tell the students, "Take turns picking a shape and drawing it on the board while your partner tries to guess which one it is."
Walk around the room and observe the student pairs. Take this opportunity to help pairs that seem to be struggling or veering off topic.
End this part of the lesson after 5 to 10 minutes. Collect the white boards.
Hand out construction paper, scissors, tape and markers to each student.
Tell the students: "Now we're going to make our own shape signs to spell our names. Draw a shape on the construction paper and cut it out. Then write the first letter of your name in the center of the shape. Draw and cut out a different shape, and write the next letter of your name in it."
Show the children what you mean by doing a sample shape in front of the class.
Tell the students to tape the letters together to create a "name sign." Allow sufficient time for them to complete the task, which will vary somewhat by grade level.
Take the students and their name signs out into the hallway. Hang them outside your classroom's door to decorate their area of the hallway.
Take the students out to the playground, if whether permits. If not, remain in the classroom.
Tell the students: "Shapes can be found everywhere you go. We're going to have a scavenger hunt to see what shapes we can find right here on our playground."
Help the children explore the playground by pointing out shapes like the windows of the school building, the shapes on the playground equipment and natural shapes found in flowers.