This week we wrapped up our exciting unit on 2D shapes! Over the past few weeks, students have been busy exploring and describing shapes such as triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombuses, and hexagons. We learned how to identify shapes by looking at their sides and corners (vertices) and practiced sorting them in different ways by size, number of sides, and whether the sides are straight or curved. Students also explored how shapes can fit together to make new designs, used shape puzzles and building materials to solve problems, and found shapes in our classroom and everyday objects. We even discussed how some shapes can look different but still belong to the same category. Our first graders did a wonderful job using math vocabulary like sides, corners, straight, curved, and equal to describe and compare shapes.
Students brought home a pumpkin shape game on Thursday that they can play at home to continue practice with 2D shapes. Understanding shapes helps build strong numeracy and computation skills. When students sort, compare, and combine shapes, they practice the same kind of thinking they use when working with numbers, such as recognizing patterns, composing and decomposing quantities, and using precise math language. This foundation supports flexible thinking and problem solving as they move into addition, subtraction, and fact fluency.
Next, we’re moving into a new unit on numeracy, starting Monday. In this unit, we’ll focus on fact fluency, including doubles (like 3+3 and 6+6), doubles plus 1 (like 3+4 and 6+7), and number partners to 10 (like 2+8 and 3+7). Students will build confidence and flexibility with numbers as they practice addition and subtraction facts in fun, hands-on ways.
