Objective

Students will sort pictures and objects based on their shape when provided with assorted objects or pictures.

Prerequisites

Children are able to recognize shapes such as circle, square, triangle and rectangle.

Pre-Teach Vocabulary

Together, round, triangle, circle, square, rectangle, sort, shape.

Introduction

1. The teacher may use the objects available in the classroom to discuss the shape of the objects. For example, the teacher can show a bangle to highlight its circular shape. A notebook to show a rectangular shape or the window of the classroom to show a shape of the square. 
2. Once they are familiar with different shapes, the teacher can show pictures of different objects that resemble a particular shape. 
3. Further, the teacher can provide picture cards/real objects to a group of children for sorting by shape.

LTM: Picture Cards

LTM: Picture Cards with Shapes

LTM: Shapes Cut-Outs

LTM: Vocabulary Cards

Activity 1: Sorting of Shapes in a Shape Sorter Box

Objective: To sort shapes cut-outs in a ‘Shape sorter box’.

Importance of the Activity:

1. Helps in developing:
   1. Fine motor skills (picking the shapes cut-out and dropping them in the sorter box)
   2. Cognitive skills (putting the right shapes cut-out in the right slot)
   3. Social skills (Cooperation, waiting for the turn)
   4. Spatial awareness and visual perception skills, which are important for tasks such as reading maps and understanding geometric concepts.
   5. Vocabulary and communication skills as they learn to describe the shape they are sorting.

Resources Required: 

1. Coloured Papers cut-outs in 3 or 4 different shapes as per the number of students.
2. Large basket to keep paper shapes. (Paper cut-out shapes should be a minimum of 4 * 4  inches.

Setting for the Activity:

The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of Activity:

Pair or group activity

Preparation of Activity:

The teacher provides cut-outs of different shapes and the sorter box.

Role of the Teacher:

Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. The cut-outs of different shapes are kept in the basket.
2. ‘Sorter box’ is kept in front of the children.
3. Children will come in pairs and pick a cut-out to drop in the matching shape provided in the box.
4. All the children can take turns to complete the activity.
5. Once the sorting is done, the teacher can open the box to show how the shapes are sorted.

Observation:

The students are made to observe the result of the activity as follows:

1. The teacher may show the open box and ask the children to observe if all the shapes are sorted.
2. Teacher can note down her observations and guide the students accordingly. For example, if the child is still confused as to where to put the cut-out, she can help the student by demonstrating or with the help of some other learning aid such as flash cards.

Suggested Variation in the Activity:  

1. The teacher can start the activity by sorting one shape.
2. Difficulty level can be increased by adding different shapes. (For example, sorting two different shapes)
3. The teacher can add a sensory element to the activity by using different materials for the shapes (e.g., foam, fabric, textured paper) and asking children to sort them based on how they feel.
4. A story or scenario involving the shapes (e.g., a shape adventure in space) can be created, and children could be asked to sort the shapes based on their role in the story.

Conclusion:

Children would learn to sort shapes.

LTM Sorter Box: How to Create

Video: Activity 1 – Sorting Shapes in Shape Sorter Box

Adaptation Video: Activity 1 – Sorting Shapes in Shape Sorter Box

Activity 2: Sorting Buttons of different Shapes in a Sensory Bin

Objective: To sort real objects (Buttons here) from assorted buttons hidden in the sensory bin.

Importance of the Activity for Children:

1. Helps in developing:
   1. Fine motor skills (picking the buttons and dropping in the container)
   2. Cognitive skills (putting the right buttons in the right container)
   3. Social skills (Cooperation, waiting for the turn)
   4. Vocabulary and communication skills

Resources Required: 

1. A bin /bucket half filled with rice/shredded paper/cotton balls.
2. Different shapes of buttons hidden in the sensory bin.
3. Small containers for sorting.

Setting for the Activity:

The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of Activity:

Pair or group activity.

Preparation of Activity:

The teacher provides the sensory bin and the small containers for sorting.

Role of the Teacher:

Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. The buttons of different shapes are placed inside the shredded paper/ cotton balls in the ‘sensory bin’.
2. ‘Sensory bin’ is kept in front of the children.
3. Children will place their hands in the bin and find the hidden buttons.
4. Similar shaped buttons to be kept in the same container.

Observation:
Teacher can note down her observations and guide the students accordingly. For example, if the child is still confused as to where to keep the button, she can help the student by demonstrating again.

Suggested Variation in the Activity:

1. The teacher can start the activity by sorting buttons of two different shapes.
2. The difficulty level can be increased by adding different shapes. (For example, sorting more than two different shapes)

Conclusion:

Children would learn to sort shapes. 

Activity Video: Sorting Buttons of Different Shapes

Adaptation Video: Sorting Buttons of Different Shapes

ISL Video: Sorting Buttons of Different Shapes

Fun Activity: Sort the Pictures

Cross-Curricular Connection

Math Class: Children can be asked to identify shapes in the classroom.

Teacher Resource Document

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.