"Simply SENSEational!" Shape SENSEation™ is a visual and tactile matching toy consisting of six different soft shapes loaded with visual and tactile stimulation. Each of the six shapes -- Circle, Star, Crescent Moon, Triangle, Heart and Square -- is symmetrically divided so that children can pull apart and match according to shapes, patterns and textures. Each shape has distinct visual and tactile combinations, including a raised rib design bordering each shape, which makes it ideal for all children including children with blindness or low vision. Packaged in clear vinyl zip tote that protects and organizes the pieces.
- Six (6) different pull-apart shapes
- Multiple fabric combinations
- Gentle and distinct textures
- Symmetrically divided shapes
- Raised ribbing
Lesson Plans and Play Ideas for Shape SENSEation™
Six soft shapes each consist of two halves to match and connect via hook and loop fastener (i.e. Velcro). Each shape has different fabric patterns and textures to visually and tactilely explore and match.
SKILLS ADDRESSED
Fine and gross motor skill and muscle development, task analysis, communication and social interaction, spatial relationships, classification and matching, following directions, problem solving, visual processing, memory and recall, tactile discrimination, color identification, beginning math, and part-whole relationships.
LESSON AND PLAY IDEAS
1. Simple shape, color, pattern, and texture identification – 1 or more children
Have the child remove the shapes from the carrying case one at a time and examine each of the pieces. While placing the shapes on a table, floor, or other surface, the teacher should discuss the shapes and the different colors, patterns, and texture surfaces.
When the shapes are all on the table the teacher breaks the shapes apart while showing the child how the shapes match by shape, color patterns, and texture and emphasizing how the pieces are alike or different. Have the child reassemble the pieces to make the correct shape.
Have the child separate and put the shapes into a bag, then pull them out separately and put them back together to make the correct shape.
Same as above but allow the child to make “crazy” shapes by matching colors, patterns and textures instead of shapes. [Be sure to provide an example first and reinforce the child’s creativity when they make their “crazy” shapes.]
Have the child put the shapes back with their correct partner and build a “shape tower” with the order of the pieces based on size, color, pattern, or texture. [Be sure to give the child a visual example first.]
Play “I Spy” by placing the shapes on a surface and then describing one of the shapes in terms of shape, color, or pattern. Have the child touch the shape you are describing. Remove each shape after it has been spied and indentified.
Separate the shapes and have the child close their eyes and try to put the shapes together by touch.
When the child is finished playing with the shapes, always have them put the shapes back together in their original fashion and return them to the carrying case. Always have a clear start and stop point for each exercise.
2. Simple matching game – 1 or more children
The teacher takes the shape pieces out of the carrying case and breaks the shapes apart while showing the child how the shapes match by shape, color patterns, and texture and emphasizing how the pieces are alike or different. The teacher places one half of each piece on one side of a table and the other half of the shape on the other side of the table.
Have the child pick a piece from one side and try to find a matching piece on the other side of the table.
With 2 or more children this could become a game to see who can find the most matches.
Using a stop watch or a large timer, play the game again but this time break apart the shapes and place them in a bag. Dump the contents on to the table and have the child (children) find the matches. See how many matches can be created within a targeted time period.
3. Shape toss – 1 or more children
Separate the shapes and place them in a box or bag.
Throw the shapes into the air and have the child (children) pick up a piece and find the correct shape match. See how many matches the child can make over a timed period. If more than one child is playing, have the children work together to find matching pieces.
[Requires the creation of simple flash cards with similar shapes or shape patterns] Place all of the shapes on a table. Show the child (children) a flash card with a similar shape and have the child match the shape with the flash card. When a correct match is found, place the card and the shape in a basket and continue until all shapes are in the basket.
4. Find your shape partner – 4 -12 children (More children if more than one Shape SENSEation is available)
Separate the shape pieces into two bags (or boxes) with one piece from each shape going into one bag and the match going into the other bag. Have the children line up in 2 equal lines and, depending on the number of children participating, have each child draw one or two pieces from one of the bags. Children in each line should draw from the same bag.
After all pieces have been drawn, have the children hold up their pieces. After a count to 3 the children must find their match partner and Velcro the shape back together.
After they have completed their shape, the children must hop on one foot together (or some other fun stepping together) to a designated finish point. First team to the finish point wins!
5. Shape relay – Best with 2 or more Shape SENSEation games but can be played with one set of shapes.
Lineup the children into equal numbered relay teams.
Each child receives one half of a shape with the other half being placed in a box or bag.
The bag or box is placed some distance away (distance depending on the children and logistic factors)
When told to “go” the first child in each relay line must hop (or run or walk or?) to the bag and find the matching shape for his or her piece. The child must attach the match and hop back to the start line and place the completed piece in a bag at the start line. The second child in line now starts and completes the process.
The first team to complete all of their shapes and place all of their completed pieces in the bag at the start line wins.
Possible follow-up activities
Art - Cut out and color matching shapes and color patterns. Make other objects or animals with similar colors and/or patterns. (i.e. a zebra to match the black stripe pattern, a hat with poke-a-dots, a candy cane with red stripes, etc.)
Counting and simple math exercise – Have the child (children) count the pieces by placing a piece on a numbered square. Teacher can verbally count along with the child’s action. Be sure the numbered cards are in the proper sequence.
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