Shapes Construction for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Science
Curriculum Theme: Our Environment
Focal competence: Identifying and classifying things in the environment according to shape
Key competencies/values: Creativity and Innovation; Collaboration
Skills:

• Construction of shapes using paper

Previous Lesson: Types of shapes and characteristic properties of common shapes
Topic: Shapes: Construction
Subject Matter: Constructing different shapes with paper, sticks or wire

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify and name at least three basic shapes.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of creativity in making different shapes.
• Collaborate with classmates to construct simple shapes.

Psychomotor Domain

• Construct different shapes with paper.
• Construct different shapes with sticks or wire.
• Construct different shapes using a combination of sticks, paper, or safe flexible material.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Basic Science for Primary 1 Textbook
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Different coloured papers
• Small sticks (e.g., matchsticks without heads, broomsticks)
• Flexible wires (safe, blunt-ended, e.g., pipe cleaners)
• Glue or tape
• Crayons
• Scissors (child-safe)
• Pre-drawn shape outlines (optional)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils develop fine motor skills and spatial reasoning by engaging them in hands-on construction of shapes. Understanding and creating shapes is a fundamental building block for geometry and helps pupils better observe and interact with objects in their environment. It also fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should be able to identify and name common basic shapes like squares, circles, and triangles.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Shapes: Construction

Shapes have different outlines and appearances. We can make or construct shapes using different materials.

Materials for Constructing Shapes

We can use many simple materials to make different shapes.

1. Paper (coloured paper, cardboard)
2. Small sticks (e.g., matchsticks, broomsticks)
3. Flexible wires (e.g., pipe cleaners)
4. Glue or tape (to join materials)
5. Scissors (for cutting paper, to be used carefully)
6. Crayons (for drawing outlines)

How to Construct Shapes with Paper

Constructing shapes with paper involves drawing, cutting, and sometimes folding.

1. Drawing/Tracing: Draw the outline of the desired shape (e.g., a square, circle, or triangle) on a piece of paper using a crayon.
2. Cutting: Carefully cut along the drawn outline using child-safe scissors.
3. Folding (Optional): For some shapes, like a triangle from a square, you can fold the paper and then cut it.

How to Construct Shapes with Sticks or Wire

Constructing shapes with sticks or wire involves arranging and joining the pieces.

1. Arranging: Place the sticks or bend the wire to form the sides or outline of the shape.
2. Joining: Use glue, tape, or string to join the ends of the sticks or wire pieces together to complete the shape. For wire, you can twist the ends together.

Examples of Simple Shapes We Can Construct

Some common shapes we can construct are:

1. Square: A shape with four equal sides and four corners.
2. Circle: A round shape with no straight sides or corners.
3. Triangle: A shape with three sides and three corners.
4. Rectangle: A shape with four sides, where opposite sides are equal in length, and four corners.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on identifying shapes by showing flashcards of different shapes and asking pupils to name them. The teacher then introduces the new topic, “Shapes: Construction,” explaining that they will learn to make these shapes themselves.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, name the shapes shown, and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Prior shape identification

Step 2: Introduction to Materials

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Material Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the instructional materials (paper, sticks, wire, glue, scissors, crayons) and names each one. The teacher explains how each material will be used to construct shapes and emphasizes safety when using scissors or wire.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials, listen to their names and uses, and pay attention to safety instructions.

Learning Point: Shape construction materials

Step 3: Teacher Demonstration (Paper)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to construct a simple shape, like a square or a triangle, using paper. This involves drawing the outline, carefully cutting it out with child-safe scissors, and showing how to fold if applicable. The teacher ensures pupils observe each step clearly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing each step of drawing, cutting, and folding the paper to form a shape.

Learning Point: Paper shape construction

Step 4: Teacher Demonstration (Sticks/Wire)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to construct another simple shape, like a triangle or a rectangle, using sticks or flexible wire. This involves arranging the pieces to form the shape’s outline and then using glue or tape to join them. The teacher reminds pupils about safety when handling sticks or wire.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration of constructing shapes with sticks or wire, noting how the pieces are arranged and joined.

Learning Point: Stick/wire shape construction

Step 5: Guided Practice (Paper)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes paper, crayons, and child-safe scissors to groups of pupils. The teacher guides them to draw and cut out a specific shape (e.g., a circle or square) from paper, providing assistance and correcting errors as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils, in groups, draw and cut out shapes from paper under the teacher’s guidance, helping each other and asking questions.

Learning Point: Practical paper construction

Step 6: Guided Practice (Sticks/Wire)

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes sticks, wire, and glue/tape to the groups. The teacher guides pupils to construct another shape (e.g., a triangle or rectangle) using these materials, ensuring they arrange and join the pieces correctly and safely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils, in groups, construct shapes using sticks or wire and glue/tape, following the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Practical stick construction

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Name two materials we used to make shapes today.
2. Show me a shape you constructed with paper.
3. Show me a shape you constructed with sticks or wire.
4. What is a square?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Shape construction understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on “Shapes: Construction” into their notebooks, ensuring they write neatly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Essential notes recording

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps the lesson, praising pupils for their efforts in constructing shapes and reiterating the importance of shapes in our environment. The teacher encourages them to look for and identify shapes in their surroundings.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher’s summary and participate in a final brief discussion.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework / Practice Exercise

Instruction: At home, with the help of an adult, find or make the following:

1. Draw and colour a circle and a triangle in your notebook.
2. Find three objects in your house that are square-shaped.
3. Using any safe material (e.g., old newspaper, dry leaves, small twigs), try to construct a rectangle.
4. Show your constructed shapes to your parents or guardians.
5. Bring your drawings and constructed shapes to class next time.

Lesson Keywords

• Shapes – The form or outline of an object.
• Construct – To build or make something.
• Paper – A material made from wood pulp, used for writing, drawing, or making things.
• Sticks – Thin pieces of wood.
• Wire – A thin, flexible strand of metal.
• Square – A shape with four equal straight sides and four right-angle corners.
• Circle – A perfectly round shape.
• Triangle – A shape with three straight sides and three corners.
• Rectangle – A shape with four straight sides and four right-angle corners, where opposite sides are equal.

Differentiation

For struggling learners: Provide pre-drawn shape outlines for them to cut or trace. Offer more direct assistance in arranging sticks or bending wire, possibly using larger, easier-to-handle materials. Pair them with faster learners for group activities.

For advanced learners: Challenge them to construct more complex shapes or combine different materials to create a scene with multiple shapes (e.g., a house with a square body and a triangular roof). Encourage them to name the shapes they have made and those of objects around them.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “Primary 1 Basic Science constructing shapes” or “Making shapes for kids”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather all necessary materials in sufficient quantities for each group of pupils. Ensure all scissors are child-safe and any wire used is flexible and has no sharp edges. Arrange the classroom to facilitate group work and easy access to materials. Begin by reviewing familiar shapes to build confidence. During the demonstration, speak clearly and show each step slowly and precisely, allowing pupils to observe. Supervise closely during practical activities, especially when pupils are cutting or joining materials, to ensure safety and correct technique. Encourage creativity and collaboration among pupils. When pupils are copying notes, ensure they focus on the main points and write legibly. Conclude by reinforcing the practical application of shape recognition in everyday life.