Lesson Title: Shape Stories

Grade Level: Kindergarten

Specific Lesson Objective: Math and Literacy

Lesson Purpose: (big picture)
Vocabulary Focus: Circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, rhombus
Materials: Pre-cut shapes in small bags, blank paper for each student, writing
materials
Anticipated Time Frame: 30-45 minutes
Adaptations for ELL, gifted students, and special education students
Gifted students can add to their creations by drawing more detail on their shapes.
ELL students can work with a teacher or scribe to transpose their ideas into
writing and help them communicate their ideas. SPED students will be allowed
extra time and assistance in the manipulation of materials and the writing of their
ideas into written format.

State Standards
Connection:
Domain: Geometry section 1
and 2
Writing Standard 2

Explore:

Engage and Launch:

Allow
students to
use the
shapes in
their bags
and
explore.
Ask them
to make
pictures by
Teacher Role:
gluing

Show Shapes that we will be

using and review as a class
Student Role: what they are
Give

Call up prior
knowledge

Find a problem to
solve

students
blank paper
and bag of
randomized
shaped

Teacher Role:

Assess prior
knowledge

Ask leading questions

Set students up with

the information they need
for the explore phase

Explain/Summarize:

Have students share

their pictures and
explain what they
made with their
shapes and why
Try to get as many
details from them to
help prepare them for
the next step of the
process

Teacher Role:

Question and
probe

Make open
suggestion

Model

Provide feedback

Assess process
and understandings
Student Role:

Explore
resources and
materials

Hypothesize
and predict

Seek
possibilities by
thinking creatively

Ask for students to clarify

Enhance or clarify what the

students explain

Use students experiences to

explain new concepts

Evaluate explanations

Discuss new vocabulary

Have students write a brief story about

Student Role:
their picture

Clarify their
Help them brainstorm
discoveries
and
and
get ideas on
understandings
Elaborate/Extend:
a sloppy copy that Share
they can finish on
feedback
andshare later on
the back of the project to
understandings
Walk around andwith
support
spelling and
one another

Form
writing practices
generalizations

Seek new
explanations

Evaluate/Assess:

Collect students projects to assess

how well they have done working
with shapes as well as writing and
communicating the story behind
their idea
Throughout the process use
formative evaluation asking
students to identify which shapes
they are using and where they are
in relation to each other
Assessment on successful
completion will be if the student
communicates clearly and explains
why they created the piece they did
and what it is supposed to be with
writing appropriate to their

Teacher Role:

Observe and assess

student understandings

Ask open-ended questions

Student Role:

Demonstrate
understanding of new
concepts

Evaluate their own

progress and knowledge

Student Role:

Apply new knowledge

to related tasks

Ask questions

Teacher Role:

Ask questions

Provide feedback

Enhance or clarify
explanations

Pose new problems

Evaluate explanations

Offer alternative
explanations