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Home » Blog » Shape

Shape

June 12, 2015 | by Cynthia Herbert

Martha GrahamShapes are unified wholes or the closed outlines of wholes. We can often recognize something just by its shape; e.g., a cup, a leaf, a flower, a pinecone, a pyramid.

Most of us can see and differentiate both 2D shapes like circles and 3D shapes like spheres. Some of us are good at imagining what a flattened 2D shape is like when its reassembled into a 3D shape.Unknown

Our brain interprets shapes as different kinds of objects. When we cannot see the whole shape, our brains fill in the blanks.
Big shapes seem closer; little shapes further away. Size is relative so we compare shapes to determine large and small. For example, a nickel looks small next to a quarter, but big next to a dime.

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Some shapes we give special meanings: a bell-­‐shaped curve, an octagonal sign, a Valentine heart.Unknown-1
We notice the shapes of letters and sometimes use them to describe objects: an L-­‐ shaped room, an A-­‐line skirt, an S-­‐curve. Some shapes have no meaning but are open to imaginative interpretation: spilled milk, paint drips. Some shapes can move (or be moved) and can morph into new shapes: clouds, balloons, clay, dough, Lego blocks.

Shape and form are sometimes used as synonyms because a shape suggests the essence, main idea, important concept or structure of something.
Shape is part of the Sensory Alphabet and is an important element in a child’s non-­‐verbal vocabulary. Try these:Guard lizard

  • Look for shapes inside and outside. Make a collection of favorite shapes. Take photos of favorite shapes. Make “trick” shots where you seem to be holding a giant shape (like a cloud) in your hand or where a small shape is held close to the camera and seems giant-­‐ sized.
  • Put shapes in a bag and try to identify by touch alone.
  • Trace favorite shapes.
  • Read books illustrated with simple shapes such as many of the books by Lois Ehlert.
  • Tear construction paper into shapes. Arrange the shapes to make creatures and otherlarger shapes. Glue on contrasting paper.
  • Fold paper and cut out a shape on the fold. Imagine what the resulting shape will be.Open the paper and see.
  • Use compasses, rulers and protractors to make shapes.
  • Make shapes with modeling materials. Sculpt with the hands or flatten and cut outshapes with lids and other materials. Let favorite results harden.
  • Make tiles and tesselations with geometric shapes or tangrams.
  • Build shapes with blocks, recycled cans or other materials.
  • Draw a favorite shape and write a poem or story inside.
  • Animate a simple shape by using a computer app. Or make an old-­‐fashioned animationby drawing the shape on every page of a small book of sticky notes. Draw it in a different place each time or draw different simple shapes on each page. Flip through the pages to see the shape “dance” or “morph.”
  • Draw a giant shape on the playground with chalk or make it indoors with painter’s tape. Hop, skip and move around it different ways.
TotemsTorn paperAfter trying lots of activities, ask children which activities they liked best. Bring them resources to play and create in the ways they like best.

 

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