Shape Identification

Terms to Know:

polygon: a closed plane figure bound by straight sides

triangle: a shape with three sides

quadrilateral: a shape with four sides

parallelogram: a four-sided shape in which opposite sides are parallel to one another

rhombus: a parallelogram in which all sides are of equal length

trapezoid: a four-sided shape in which two sides are parallel

pentagon: a five-sided shape

hexagon: a six-sided shape

heptagon: a seven-sided shape

octagon: an eight-sided shape

nonagon: a nine-sided shape

decagon: a ten-sided shape

What You Need:

• Sheet of construction paper
• Sheet of notebook paper
• 2 dice
• Ruler
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Pencil

What You Do:

1. Using the ruler and the black marker, help your child divide the construction paper into 12 even squares.
2. Then, using the scissors, allow your child to cut the construction paper into 12 cards.
3. Next, using the black marker, have her draw the following shapes on the front of each of the cards: polygon, triangle, quadrilateral, parallelogram, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon and decagon.
4. Have her number each of the cards on the same side as the shape drawing (for instance, 1 on the polygon card, 2 on the quadrilateral card, etc.) using the black marker.
5. Help her flip each of the cards over.
6. Then, using the black marker, encourage her to write the correct definition of each of the shapes listed above on the back of each card.
7. Have your child flip the cards back over and let her shuffle them.
8. Have your child place the cards in a grid, shape side up.
9. The game has two phases. In phase one, she should roll the die.
10. Whatever number she rolls, she should try and guess the shape with the corresponding number. 
11. If she guesses correctly, she must record it on the sheet of notebook paper with the pencil. If she doesn’t guess correctly, have her try again.
12. She should continue until she guesses the first six shapes correctly.
13. Then, phase two starts. Have her roll both of the dice and try to guess the remaining six shapes in the same way she guessed the first six.
14. Encourage her to continue playing until she correctly identifies all 12 shapes.