How to Use What You Have: Geometry

We’ve adopted a phrase.

Use what we have to boost what we know.

Could mean one of two things.

Use the resources and items we have to learn something new.

Or

Use the resources and items we have to deepen or reinforce knowledge we learned previously.

Today, my mind is on geometry for little learners.

I opened my pantry to select some items and remembered back a few years when my children used all the cans (cylinders) to built a fort for stuffed animals. In the process, they noticed some cans were taller than others and some had larger ends (circumferences). Using the moment of excitement, I gave my children two new words—cylinder and circumference—and they remembered them! They were interested and engaged. Retention spiked.

Your pantry is brimming with learning. What’s in there, you ask?

Circles, Spheres, and Cylinders

• Introduce the circle, sphere, and cylinder. Find examples of each in the pantry. Take a shape walk finding examples of each: buttons (circles), paper plates (circle), globes and oranges (spheres), cans and oatmeal containers (cylinders), bicycles (wheels), balls (spheres), and garbage cans (cylinders). Older children may enjoy drawing and shading spheres and cylinders.

• Trace the circumference of different size cans. Compare sizes.

• Paint or draw circles. Use crayons, watercolors, or whatever supplies you have. Kinesthetic moving learners may prefer sidewalk chalk outside.

• Make a circle collage. Circle punch cutter to the rescue! Use whatever paper you have available. Introduce fractional parts by cutting your circles in half or quarters.

• Introduce the concept of circumference as the distance around the circle. Use a string or measuring tape to measure and compare the circumferences of cans in your pantry. Write the measurements on paper (to make a connection from visual to symbolic) and compare.

• Ride a bike, run, hop, or skip in a circle.

• Scoop spheres with a melon scoop.

• Make a drum out of a clean, empty oatmeal container.

• Notice coins are circles. Identify each coin and the corresponding value. Play store.

Squares, Cubes, and Rectangular Prisms

• Identify the differences between squares, rectangles, cubes, and prisms. Look for examples of each in the pantry.

• Draw a square. Notice the sides are parallel. Draw more sets of parallel lines. Practice writing letters with parallel lines: E, H, N, and I.

• Find examples of parallel lines inside the pantry, inside the home, and outside around the yard.

• Draw several large quadrilaterals (four-sided figures) on the driveway. Measure the sides and determine the perimeter (distance around the shape). Write the perimeter in the center of the shape.

• Draw quadrilaterals on graph paper and determine the number of squares inside the shape.

Triangles, Cones, and Triangular Prisms

• Define triangle as a three-sided shape. Identify triangles in the home. Are there any in the pantry? Discuss why products are not as likely to made in the shape of a triangle.

• Draw triangles of different sizes. Count by threes.

• Use a ruler to make triangles. Use pretzel sticks, toothpicks, or craft sticks to make triangles. Identify sides and corners. Define angle.

• Make a paper cone. If you have ice cream cones on hand, enjoy a cool treat!

• Experiment and make shape designs with pattern blocks or tangrams. We carry Puzzles for Pattern Blocks: Pattern Animals in our store. We’ve loved this resource through reprints and new editions for over 20 years! Great for thinking and problem solving.

• Cut triangles from several types and colors of paper. Make a triangle collage.

• Identify the corners (vertexes) or the triangles. Find examples in the home.

• Pitch a tent in the backyard. Camp overnight.

• Make a sandwich. Cut into triangles.

• Make a batch of pan cookies. Press and bake dough in a jelly roll pan. When cool, cut into squares, then triangles. Serve.

These activities are included in my Month of Math: Geometry. This resource provides parents and learners with multi-sensory, experiential opportunities with everyday items, real objects which make children curious. It also introduces children to math vocabulary in context, allowing for retention, understanding, and application.