Unit Plan 6 (PreK Math): Build & Draw Shapes

Focus: Use blocks, sticks, bands, and clay to build and draw basic shapes; talk about straight/curved sides and corners (vertices).

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Mathematics (Geometry—Shapes)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Children construct and draw simple shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) using hands-on tools. They learn to notice and describe sides and corners, say whether sides are straight or curved, and connect their models to shapes they see in the classroom and outdoors.

Essential Questions

• What makes a shape a circle, square, triangle, or rectangle?
• How can I build and draw a shape so others can recognize it?
• Which words help me tell how shapes are the same or different?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Build simple shapes with materials (sticks/clay, blocks, bands).
2. Draw/trace simple shapes and name them (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).
3. Describe shapes using words like side, corner (vertex), straight, curved.
4. Match built shapes to pictures in the environment and explain similarities.

Standards Alignment — Custom CCSS-style Pre-Kindergarten

• PK.G.4 — Build & draw simple shapes. Uses sticks, clay, geoboards, or drawing tools to make shapes; forms, for example, a triangle with 3 craft sticks. (Aligns to K.G.5—direct)
• MP.4 — Model with mathematics. Represents shapes and connects models to real objects.
• MP.5 — Use appropriate tools strategically. Chooses tools (blocks, bands, stencils) to make a target shape.
• MP.6 — Attend to precision. Uses shape names and parts accurately.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can build and draw at least two shapes people can recognize.
• I can name circle, square, triangle, rectangle and point to sides and corners.
• I can tell one thing that is the same or different about two shapes.