We are starting Chapter 11 this week! In Chapter 11, your student learns about two-dimensional shapes. At first, your student explores shape attributes, such as curves, sides, and vertices. Then your student uses those attributes to define shapes. For example, your student defines a

triangle as a shape having three sides and three vertices. Then your student sorts and

classifies shapes by identifying which of several shapes is a triangle, rectangle, square,

circle, or hexagon.

Have fun with the following activities to practice with two-dimensional shapes:

• Play a guessing game. Take turns. One player secretly thinks of an object within view that has the shape of a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, or hexagon, for example, a dinner plate in the shape of a circle. The other player tries to find out what the secret object and shape are by asking only yes or no questions, for example, “Is the object hanging on the wall? Does it have a square shape?” Set a limit of 20 questions for each player's turn.
• If you have access to old magazines, work with your student to cut out photos of objects that are shaped like triangles, rectangles, squares, circles, and hexagons. For example, you might find a photo of a building that has rectangular windows and/or a triangular roof, or you might find an advertisement for a circular watch or ring. Suggest that your student trace over the shapes with a marker or crayon to make them stand out. Then sort the photos by shape.
• Have your student draw two-dimensional shapes by tracing objects. For example, your student might trace around the bottom of a can to draw a circle, or around the base of a box to draw a rectangle.