The Very Hungry Caterpillar-Teaching Shapes

Grade Levels: First and Second Grade

Grouping: Whole Class

Time: 30 to 45 minutes

National Education Technology Standard: Using technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools) for problem solving, communication, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.

Introduction:

In this lesson the students will learn to identify two and three dimensional figures and associate them with objects in the real world.

Materials:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a computer on-line with printer, IntelliMathics software, Millie’s Math House software (Please refer to each activity for materials needed.)

Procedures:

Activity #1-  The teacher will introduce the story of, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, to the students. After listening and orally participating in the story have the students to brainstorm real world things that are the same shapes listed below.

Circle

Square

Triangle

Rectangle

 

 

 

Activity #2-  Place the students in groups of two’s. Have them to make rhyming shapes booklets using Kid Works 2 Deluxe. Encourage them to use the graphics to illustrate their booklets.

Example:
I once saw a circle. It was the same all around.  I took out my crayons and turned it into a clown.

 

Activity #3-  The students will create shapes Cinquin Poems using the software Web Workshop. They will also add graphics to accent their verses.

Example:

Square
Colorful, Heavy
Clapping, Wishing, Smiling
Birthday, Surprise
Present

 

Line 1-Noun
Line 2-Describing words
Line 3-Action words
Line 4-Describing words
Line 5- Noun

 

Technology Connection-

Using a quick take camera (in small groups) have the students to take pictures of various shapes that can be found around your school and classroom. When they are done assist them in creating slide show presentations of their findings using Microsoft Word.

 

 

 

Home Learning:

The students will create their own version of the hungry caterpillar using magazine pictures of edible things that are shapes as circle, squares, triangle and rectangles.

Evaluation:

All evaluations will be based on the students’ completion of their projects and their participation.

Extension:
 Explain to your students that they are going to make a "shapes mosaic" using dried pasta that are of different shapes. (Make an example before hand to show the kids what you mean.)

Steps:

1. Give each student a plastic baggie with dried noodles that are shaped like circles, squares, triangles and rectangles.

2. Have the students to paste their pasta pieces down on an 8 ˝" x 11" portion of poster board.
Tell the students glue the pasta down at random.

3. When the projects are dry use gold spray paint to cover them. They will make great displays for your classroom.