Our surroundings are full of different shapes and figures. Not only are they significant in nature but also in the world of mathematics. Kids get easily drawn towards these fascinating figures and in order to make them understand the unique features and properties, conventional methods, at times may not yield fruitful results. There are chances that these developing brains may often get confused between a square and a rectangle.
To keep them focused and engaged during the learning process, hands-on shapes activities come to the rescue. Activities tend to grab the attention of little learners and they unknowingly learn, all the while having fun and enjoyment. Let’s check out the creative and interactive rectangle shape activities below to build a solid foundation of knowledge of shapes.
Creative and engaging rectangle activities for kids
The important concepts of math simply cannot be ignored during childhood and early learning days. With innovative activities, teachers can better teach the concept of rectangles in a fun manner.
1. Is it a Rectangle?
Identifying a rectangle becomes the very first step in understanding the shape and its properties. This activity focuses on the identification of the rectangle and considering the equal measurement of opposite sides.
- To conduct this activity, take different pictures on a flashcard
- Include pictures that depict a rectangle and the other ones which do not depict a rectangle
- Divide the students into teams of 2 students each
- One by one, show these cards to teams and allow them to think
- They need to answer Yes for a rectangle and No for other objects
This fun learning activity gives an opportunity for educators and teachers to clarify doubts if students are not able to identify them. The activity also enables students to think of rectangles in the real world and not just as a shape.
2. Collect and Bring!
Rectangles can be found everywhere but only when students know to identify them. This activity focuses on finding rectangles around them and assessing if it actually falls in the category of the shape.
- To conduct this activity, divide students into teams of 3 students each
- Now, the teams need to roam around in the classroom and find real objects that depict a rectangle
- Make sure each team finds at least 3 objects in the category
- For example, students can collect an eraser, a long notebook, a compass box, and even a water bottle shaped like a rectangle
As students get an opportunity to collect things, they get more knowledge about other shapes also including their properties. It helps develop mathematical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
3. Draw and Show
Creative activities engage kids and also help them learn in a better manner. This activity focuses on using creative ways to make kids understand rectangles.
- To conduct this activity, give a blank sheet of paper to all students
- Now, ask them to draw any 5 things that depict a rectangle in real life
- Here, they can draw a cupboard, a shoe box, visiting card, or many more things
- Once done, let them color and show creativity
Students get to think before they actually draw anything. Hence, this activity reinforces the learning environment with critical thinking skills and a better understanding of mathematical concepts.
4. Sort it Out!
Kids might be confused with the existence of so many different shapes. So, it is always a good idea to differentiate these shapes and let kids learn about them in a fun manner.
- To conduct this activity, take different shapes (wood-based shapes or plastic ones)
- Now, mix these materials in a box filled with sand
- Ask kids to sort all shapes and put the shapes in their respective boxes
- Create 4 – 5 boxes or containers where they can collect the shapes
This is a creative activity where students not only learn about rectangles but also about other shapes. Such an activity offers a diversified learning experience as students learn about properties of different shapes, sizes, and sides.
5. Make a Robot!
Kids are surely fascinated with craft activities and different colored papers. This activity focuses on using rectangles to create a unique masterpiece in the classroom. A robot can be easily made with different-sized rectangles considering its head, straight body, two hands, straight legs, and rectangular eyes.
- To conduct this activity, draw a robot with the usage of rectangles on the blackboard
- Now, ask kids to draw rectangles on the chart paper and then cut them according to the drawing made on the board
- Once cut, they need to stick different parts of rectangles on chart paper in a sequence that looks just like the robot drawn on the board
With sticking and making a creative crafting project, students learn the usage of rectangles. They also develop motor skills with cutting and using fingers to stick the papers. Such an activity boosts creativity thereby opening innovative minds to work better.
6. Rectangles and Snacks
Students can learn about rectangles better when they get to see them everywhere and in common occurrences. This activity combines different snacks and how rectangles can be found in everyday life.
- To conduct this activity, ask students to spot any snack or snack packet that is rectangle in basic
- Once done, they need to bring it to the classroom and make a medium-sized rectangle on the study desk
- For example, they can use the tetra pack of juice or using a biscuit depicting a rectangle
- Tell them to have an equal number of snacks or snack packets on opposite sides to perfectly make a rectangle
Such knowledge enhances their practical learning experience with everyday materials.
7. Connect Rectangles
Playing with dough or clay plays an important role in everyday life for preschoolers. This activity focuses on creating rectangles with clay and building them properly.
- To conduct this activity, ask students to bring clay and toothpicks
- Now, ask students to create rectangles from a toothpick and connect them with clay
- You can also ask students to create a square and a rectangle and then tell the difference between two
With such an activity, students can easily understand the property of a rectangle and its sides are parallel and equidistant to each other. Moreover, colorful clay enhances the learning process and develops motor skills.
Other ways and strategies to teach budding learners about rectangles
While activities are helpful, teachers and educators can also consider various other ways to teach about rectangles. Different strategies and suggestions help create a unique learning platform in innovative ways.
- Online games are a great way to make students learn about rectangles. Various online games let them draw, identify or select rectangles making it visually appealing and knowledgeable for them.
- Similarly, different jokes about rectangles can also be used by teachers to create fun. Many jokes focus on the properties of the shape making it easy to remember for students.
- Manipulatives are also an emerging form of learning. Various manipulatives including lego, puzzles, or other stationary items can foster the learning process. This way, students can better remember concepts.
- Real-life examples also serve as a practical way to teach rectangles. When students can relate the concept with everyday examples, they are more likely to understand it and even raise queries, if any.
Wrapping up
As you think of teaching the concept of rectangles, know that classroom activities and other significant ways can boost the learning environment. Classroom activities for shapes like rectangles, triangles, and squares create an engaging learning environment. It also helps teachers identify the strengths and weaknesses of students with reference to their understanding of rectangles.
Additionally, teachers get a quick opportunity to solve doubts, correct students with their mistakes, and reteach the concept in real-time. It should be noted that these activities can also be twisted to a more challenging level simply by adding extra elements to it. Similarly, it is significant to understand that every student learns at a different pace and it only takes the right explanation to make them aware of rectangles.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,