2D Shapes When You Only Have A Minute

I know lots of Kinder teachers have a focus on geometry in January so for this month’s when you only have a minute  post I’ve created a word wheel activity for 2D shapes. The purpose of these posts is to give you fun and easy learning moments for when your little ones literally only have a minute or two. Of course, making these will take longer than a minute, but not too much longer …unless you laminate the circles! Once they’re made your little ones can easily have a turn or two within one minute so keep them somewhere nearby!

 What you need

• One copy of the preferred page (that is, colour or black and white).
• Scissors, a split pin or brad and pencils if using the black and white version.

What to do

1. Color the pictures if using black and white.
2. Cut carefully around all three circles. If you want to laminate the circles, now is the time to do it!
3. Place them on top of one another, largest circle at the bottom, smallest on top.
4. Line up the center circles and push a split pin or brad through to hold them together. Kids can easily make their own holes by putting a little ball of blu tac under the hole and stabbing a pencil through the paper.

How to use

• Turn the three ‘wheels’ to find the correct match.
• Since all the shapes start with a different letter even early readers can look for the first sound rather than having to read the whole word (note: square and circle start with the same sound although they’re different letters).
• The inner wheel is to choose the number of sides or vertices (corners).
• Pairs: One child can choose a picture, word or number – then another child matches the rest of the wheel

Please note

Mathematically a circle has no sides but that can be a difficult concept for young children. Tell them a side must be straight not curved. Therefore it has one line, but not one side.

I have included a version with the option of one in case you wish to teach that a circle has one line, if you’re worried about confusing your little one.

If you would like to look at my Geometry for Kinders unit you can find it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

The Free Downloads

Click on the highlighted link to download this 2D Shapes Activity.

For another free activity you can download these 2D and 3D shapes cut-and-paste printables.

Need more geometry?

This activity has come from my Kindergarten Geometry pack … over 150 pages including 32 teacher posters, student printables and mini-books, play dough task cards, shapes to construct transporters, environmental shape hunt book and building new creations from shapes board game.

I wish you happy teaching and learning!