Shape recognition is an important beginning math skill. Help young children in the preschool classroom to build these skills by conducting this simple shape sorting art activity. Use this lesson plan as it is, or adapt it for specific ages and abilities.
Shape Sorting Art Lesson Objectives
- Build shape recognition skills.
- Develop early math abilities.
- Increase fine motor skills.
- Increase sorting skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to follow directions.
- Explore art materials and process.
- Build vocabulary.
Grade/ Age Level
Use this early childhood activity with students ages three and up.
Materials Needed for the Preschool Shape Sorting Activity
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Shape templates or stencils
- Crayons or pencils
Steps for the Shape Sorting Art Activity
Pre-activity
Discuss shapes with the class. Ask the children to name different shapes such as circle, square, or triangle. For older, or more advanced, children try adding in shapes such as octagon or oval.
It may also be helpful to read a book about shapes. Look for picture books that contain detailed pictures of shapes. Examples of books geared towards a preschool aged audience include When a Line Bends a Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene and James Kaczman [Sandpiper, 2001], and I Spy Shapes in Art by Lucy Micklethwait [Greenwillow Books, 2004].
Process Steps
- Invite the children to trace the shape templates or stencils onto the construction paper. Ask the children to name each shape as he or she goes along. Each child should have at least three of each shape. Encourage the children to use different sizes of shape templates and different colors of paper.
- Have the children use safety scissors to cut the shapes out. Adult assistance may be needed. Try to allow the children to explore cutting before jumping in to help.
- Ask each child to place his or her shapes into a pile and mix them together. Encourage movement, and allow the children to spend time mixing up the shapes.
- Once mixed, have the children sort the shapes into piles. This can be done more than once. First have the children sort by shape.
- After the sorting has been successfully accomplished, ask the children to sort by size or color. Have the children arrange the shapes on a separate piece of construction paper.
- The shapes can now be collaged (glued) onto the paper.
- Set aside to dry.
Shape Sorting Art Lesson Wrap Up
Encourage the class to discuss the shape sorting art activity. Display each of the shape collage creations, and ask specific questions such as:
- What shapes were used?
- How many circles are in this collage?
- What does the word collage mean?
- Who can find a collage with five triangles?
Preschool Classroom Activity Extensions
Extend the shape sorting art activity into other classroom curricular areas:
- Math: Explore geometry and the part to whole relationship. Ask the children to create shape pictures of real objects such as cars or houses.
- Literacy: Have the children create unique shape books. Make several shape collages and tie them together in a book form. Encourage the children to write simple words that name and label each shape.
- Self-awareness: Ask the children to look in the mirror. Ask the class to name facial features and describe the shapes that might make them up.
- Environment: Look for natural shapes such as pumpkin circles, flower ovals, or rectangle tree trunks.
Young children can readily learn how to recognize and identify specific shapes through this fun art activity. Start simple with basic shapes such as triangles and circles. As the children grow and develop move on to more complex shapes such as octagons. Finish the lesson by creating colorful collages that can be displayed as a shape filled classroom decorations.
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