Geometry: More Squares; Musical Chairs

The activity and interest of musical chairs makes this a good way to identify and match shapes. . . Needs little preparation.

Objectives

Children ages 3-4 can identify shapes and tell why they are different Cog. IIIA
Ages 2 can match identical shapes Cog. IIIA
and ages 1 ½-2 can point and label squares Lang. IA
All children participating will be able to understand and follow the rules of the game SE V

 

Materials

Ms./Mr. Math puppet; chair for each child with square shape taped on; additional chairs with circles and triangles; record player and music; felt shapes (circle, square, triangle) and flannel board; paper shapes and pins.

Procedures

1. Arrange furniture for musical chairs. Have Ms. Math seat children by flannel board and display square. "Here's a shape you all know. Maybe the Square-Eater left it. What is it? Yes, a square." Review the characteristics of a square.

2. Play musical chairs. When the music stops, Ms. Math calls, "Square". Each child is to sit in a chair with a square. After each round, rearrange the chairs to keep the children looking. The young child might be helped by having a square pinned to him to match to the chair. After a few rounds of sitting on square, pin a circle, triangle or square shape to each child. When music stops, have them sit in chairs with same shape as they are wearing. Have children trade shapes. Do not remove a chair each round as the object of this game is to match shapes and not to be a winner. Sometime during the activity, ask each child "What shape is this? How can you tell?