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Shapes Lesson Plans: Shapes Bootcamp

Shapes Bootcamp includes shapes lesson plans and is one of the components of our TKS BOOTCAMP curriculum. When we learn about shapes, we split 2D and 3D shapes into different parts of the school year, but we use Shapes Bootcamp for both. Discover fun, educational activities designed by a full-time teacher to teach shapes effectively. From sorts to art projects, spark curiosity and promote early math skills with our classroom-proven resources!

Shapes Bootcamp: Shapes Lesson Plans

When learning about shapes, Shapes Bootcamp is how we explicitly teach each shape and the attributes of that shape. We use our shape anchor charts to identify how many sides, vertices, 2D/3D, and real-life objects for the shape. The students generate all of the information for the chart. We do one shape a day. Again, this provides explicit instruction for each shape. After we complete this chart, we do a shape lesson or activities for all the shapes.

Here are some videos of Shapes Bootcamp in action:

In this video, you see us using a PowerPoint to review the shapes as well. This is a quick daily practice that we use during Shapes Bootcamp and throughout the year as a review!

Our first shapes activity is our shape monsters! These are great for introducing shapes in a fun way! After the students create their shape monsters, they share them with the class. We use the information to create our shapes anchor chart! These shapes lesson plans are included in Shapes Bootcamp!

Shapes Lesson Plans: Shape Sorts

A key component of Shapes Bootcamp is shape sorts. Sorting is a higher-order thinking skill and is necessary for kids to develop higher-order thinking skills, language skills, and reasoning skills. With our sorts, the students are talking and explaining why we’re sorting the shapes.

We also do shape sorts that are shape-specific. For example, we do “circle” and “not a circle” sorts. This is great for getting students to explain the shapes using attributes and math vocabulary.

Shape Hunt

To build shape recognition, we do shape hunts. Students find shapes in magazines, cut out the shapes, and sort the shapes. They show me the shape and identify the shape so this also serves as assessment!

Shape Lesson Plans: Shape Activities

These hands-on shape activities are not included in Shapes Bootcamp but are great lessons and activities for learning about shapes!

Shape Building. This lesson is very collaborative and provides some STEM experience. Students are given a piece of string. I direct them to make a shape with six sides (or any number of sides). Then, they have to solve the problem independently to make the shape.

Shape building with toothpicks and marshmallows is always a fun, hands-on activity for shapes. I direct students to build a shape by name. Example: I would say build a triangle. They would build a triangle. I might also say, build me a shape with three sides. This can be a challenging activity, but the kids love it, and it’s a great STEM activity!

Shape art projects are another fun way to learn about shapes. Kandinsky, a Russian artist, inspires this art project. Students choose the shape they want to make and position the shapes to make their picture. In this lesson, you can also incorporate position words. I would say: “Put the biggest shape on the bottom.” You could do position words before they glue the shapes to complete their art.

Shape Party

We wrap up Shapes Bootcamp with a shape party! For our shape party, we ate snacks that represented the various shapes. You can do 2D and 3D shapes or separate shape parties! You can provide the snacks or have families send in snacks! We identify the shape, identify the attributes, and sort the shapes! Then we EAT!