Geometry: Introducing Triangle Drawing

A possible large group approach to introduce a new shape with follow-up activities on shape discrimination.

Objectives

Children ages 5-6 years can copy a triangle FM III
Children ages 4-5 can hold the frame to trace triangle FM II
Ages 3-4 can cut a straight line with scissors FM I
and ages 1 ½-2 can imitate the word and point to the triangle Lang. IA

 
 
 

Materials

Treasure box with felt triangle; Mr. Math puppet; triangle shape frames; paper and magic markers or crayons; "Feely Box", small circles and triangles (wooden or heavy cardboard).

Procedures

1. Hide treasure box with felt triangle inside. Mr. Math puppet encourages children to look for it.

2. When found, have child place the triangle on flannel board. Mr. Math identifies --"This shape is...a triangle! A triangle has three sides. Count them!" Mr. Math points and all count to three. "And it has three points...let's count!" Point and count again. "A triangle has three sides and three points." Turn the triangle to a different position. "Is it still a triangle?" If the children seem unsure, repeat the definition. "A triangle has three sides and three points. Let’s count." Turn to several different positions and repeat the question.

3. Pass out triangle shape frames to each child. Mr. Math: "And now here's your magic marker. Pass out invisible object. My magic markers are much better than your teacher's. My markers are so magic they are invisible! (Invisible is a special word which means it can't be seen.) Take your magic marker (point with one finger) and put it inside the frame and draw a triangle." If your children like chants, try "One, two, three -- and a triangle I see." Have the children hold the frame in this position. (See Illustration.) Begin to trace at the top point, counting each side as it is traced. After tracing in the frame, they may enjoy tracing large triangles in the air.

4. Pass out felt markers or crayons and a piece of paper. Have the children trace triangles on their paper. Some may want to draw triangles by hand, then color them in and cut them out.

Variations

1. Lotto games with shapes.  Make game cards with four or six shapes drawn on them.  Also cut out shapes that match shapes drawn on the cards.  To increase difficultry, make cards with nine shapes on them.  Play lotto or bingo with them  (Adult or child can draw a shape out of a hat or box and call it out.)

2. Shape jewelry: string paper shapes between pieces of straws on string.  These finished strings can be crowns, belts, sashes, bracelets, etc.

3. Toothpick and bean shapes (soften the beans by soaking or parboiling.  Using three beans and three toothpicks, can children construct a triangle?  For a higher level, after feeling a pyramid block, can children expand a triangle into a pyramid?  Can a square become a cube?  Allow plenty of free exploration of shapes and free-form construction.