DESCRIPTION: Students identify basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle or triangle) in a variety of everyday objects.

OBJECTIVES: Students should locate and identify different basic shapes (circles, squares, triangles and rectangles) as they experience the museum. The activity is also intended to encourage closer looking.

PROCEDURE: In this box I have a variety of objects. They are all made out of shapes. (Empty the box onto the floor; objects may include cups, glasses, plates, empty plastic containers, boxes, etc.) Look at each object closely and pick out all of the shapes that they are made of. Can anyone pick out the objects that have circles (squares, triangles)? (Hold an object so all sides can be examined.) Now let's put all of the circles in one pile, squares in another, triangles in another and rectangles in another. Do some objects belong in more than one pile? Are there more circles, squares or triangles in these objects? Now let's go and look at some artworks and see if we can pick out some of the shapes in them.

MINNESOTA GRADUATION STANDARDS:
(1) Read, View, Listen
(2) Write and Speak
(3) Literature and the Arts

Age level: This is a good activity for the younger ages (K-2).
Artworks used: Paintings or sculptures that contain easily identifiable basic shapes.
Props needed: A variety of everyday objects such as boxes and bowls.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Yes


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER