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Mystery Monster Shapes

Lesson Plan

Mystery Monster Shapes

Students will be able to identify and sort common 2D shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) and use these shapes to create a 'mystery monster.'

Understanding 2D shapes is a foundational skill in geometry. This lesson makes learning shapes fun and creative, allowing students to apply their knowledge in an imaginative way while also developing fine motor skills and following instructions.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on, creative, interactive

Materials

Copy of Mystery Monster Shapes Worksheet for each student, Scissors for each student, Glue sticks for each student, Construction paper or blank paper for each student, and Mystery Monster Shapes Slide Deck

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What are Shapes?

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Mystery Monster Shapes Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
  • Ask students what they know about shapes. "Who can tell me some shapes they know? Where do we see shapes in our world?"
  • Introduce the concept of 2D shapes and explain that today they will become shape detectives to find shapes and create their own mystery monster.

Step 2

Shape Detective Time!

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Mystery Monster Shapes Worksheet and explain the first task: identifying and coloring the different shapes on the sheet (Slide 3).
  • Guide students to carefully cut out all the shapes from their worksheet. Emphasize cutting carefully along the lines.
  • As students cut, circulate and provide support, asking questions like, "What shape is that? How many sides does it have?"

Step 3

Build Your Mystery Monster

10 minutes

  • Once all shapes are cut, instruct students to use these shapes to create their very own 'Mystery Monster' on a separate piece of construction paper or blank paper (Slide 4).
  • Encourage creativity! Remind them that monsters can look however they imagine.
  • As students are gluing, ask them to identify the shapes they are using for different parts of their monster (e.g., "What shape did you use for your monster's body?").

Step 4

Monster Gallery & Share

5 minutes

  • Have students share their 'Mystery Monsters' with a partner or the whole class (Slide 5).
  • Ask a few volunteers to describe their monster, pointing out the shapes they used.
  • Conclude by reviewing the shapes learned and celebrating their creative work. "Great job, shape detectives! Look at all the amazing monsters you made with shapes!"
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Slide Deck

Mystery Monster Shapes!

Let's become Shape Detectives!

Welcome students and introduce the fun Halloween-themed lesson. Ask what they think a "mystery monster" might be!

What are 2D Shapes?

Circles, Squares, Triangles, Rectangles!
They are flat and have no depth.
We see them everywhere!

Ask students to name some shapes they already know. Connect shapes to real-world objects.

Shape Detective Time!

  1. Find and identify the shapes on your worksheet.
  2. Color each different type of shape a different color.
  3. Carefully cut out all the shapes!

Explain the first task: identifying, coloring, and carefully cutting out the shapes on their worksheet.

Build Your Mystery Monster!

Use your cut-out shapes to create a spooky, silly, or friendly mystery monster!
Glue them onto a new piece of paper.

Instruct students to use their cut-out shapes to create their unique monster. Encourage creativity and remind them there's no right or wrong way!

Monster Gallery!

Time to share your amazing Mystery Monsters!
Tell us about your monster and the shapes you used.

Invite students to share their monsters. Ask them to point out which shapes they used.

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Worksheet

Mystery Monster Shapes Worksheet

Instructions:

  1. Look at the shapes below.
  2. Color all the circles red.
  3. Color all the squares blue.
  4. Color all the triangles green.
  5. Color all the rectangles yellow.
  6. Carefully cut out all the shapes along the dotted lines. Then, use them to build your very own Mystery Monster!

Shapes to Cut Out


  • Circle 1
  • Circle 2
  • Circle 3

  • Square 1
  • Square 2

  • Triangle 1
  • Triangle 2
  • Triangle 3
  • Triangle 4

  • Rectangle 1
  • Rectangle 2





























(Teacher: Please draw various shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) with dotted lines for students to color and cut out. Ensure there are enough shapes for a creative monster.)

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Answer Key

Mystery Monster Shapes Answer Key

This answer key provides guidance for the coloring and identification portion of the Mystery Monster Shapes Worksheet.

Expected Coloring:

  • Circles: Should be colored red.
  • Squares: Should be colored blue.
  • Triangles: Should be colored green.
  • Rectangles: Should be colored yellow.

Shape Identification Notes for Teacher:

  • Circles: No sides, no corners, round.
  • Squares: 4 equal sides, 4 corners (right angles).
  • Triangles: 3 sides, 3 corners.
  • Rectangles: 4 sides, 4 corners (right angles), two pairs of equal sides.

Evaluation of Monster Creation:

  • Students should demonstrate the use of multiple 2D shapes in their monster construction.
  • Encourage creativity in how shapes are combined to form monster features (body, eyes, arms, legs, etc.).
  • Focus on whether students can articulate which shapes they used for different parts of their monster when asked.
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Cool Down

Mystery Monster Shapes Cool Down

Instructions: Answer the questions below about your Mystery Monster!

  1. What is your favorite shape that you used in your monster?


  2. Draw one of the shapes you used in your monster.







  3. Tell me one new thing you learned about shapes today.





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Lesson Plan

Spooky Shapes Mystery!

Students will be able to identify and describe basic 2D shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) found in Halloween-themed objects.

Understanding 2D shapes is a foundational math skill that helps students make sense of the world around them. This lesson makes learning shapes fun and relevant by connecting it to the excitement of Halloween!

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, hands-on activity, and independent practice.

Materials

Spooky Shapes Warm-Up, Spooky Shapes Slide Deck, Shape Hunt Activity, Halloween Shape Sort Worksheet, Halloween Shape Sort Answer Key, and Spooky Shapes Cool-Down

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Guess the Shape!

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Spooky Shapes Warm-Up to activate prior knowledge of shapes and introduce the Halloween theme.
  • Engage students with riddles or descriptions of basic 2D shapes.

Step 2

Introduction: Spooky Shapes Everywhere!

7 minutes

  • Present the Spooky Shapes Slide Deck to introduce the lesson objective and review basic 2D shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).
  • Discuss real-world examples of these shapes, especially in Halloween contexts (e.g., a round pumpkin, a square candy bar, a triangular witch's hat).

Step 3

Activity: Halloween Shape Hunt

10 minutes

  • Lead students through the Shape Hunt Activity.
  • Have students work individually or in pairs to identify 2D shapes in provided Halloween images or around the classroom. Encourage them to point out and name the shapes they find.
  • Circulate to provide support and ask guiding questions.

Step 4

Independent Practice: Shape Sort Worksheet

5 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down: What Shape Am I?

3 minutes

  • Conclude with the Spooky Shapes Cool-Down.
  • Ask students to share one new thing they learned or one interesting shape they found today.
  • Pose a quick exit ticket question related to identifying a shape.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Spooky Shapes Mystery!

Are you ready for a Halloween shape hunt?

Welcome students and introduce the exciting Halloween theme. Ask them what their favorite part of Halloween is to build engagement.

Our Mission: Shape Detectives!

Today, we will find and name 2D shapes in spooky, fun Halloween objects!

Introduce the objective of the lesson in a kid-friendly way. Explain that they will be shape detectives today!

Meet the Circle!

Round and round, no straight lines, a circle you have found!

Review the circle. Ask students to name things that are shaped like a circle.

Hello, Square!

Four equal sides, a perfect square hides!

Review the square. Emphasize its four equal sides. Ask for square examples.

Terrific Triangle!

Three sides, three corners, a triangle adorns!

Review the triangle. Point out its three sides. Ask for triangle examples.

Awesome Rectangle!

Two long sides, two short sides, a rectangle brightly shines!

Review the rectangle. Compare it to a square, noting its two long and two short sides. Ask for rectangle examples.

Spooky Shape Hunt Practice!

Can you spot the shapes in these Halloween treats and decorations?

Show examples of Halloween objects and ask students to identify the shapes. Encourage active participation.

Time for our Shape Hunt!

Let's find all the circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles!

Transition to the activity. Explain that they will now be finding shapes on their own or with a partner. Encourage them to be observant!

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Warm Up

Spooky Shapes Warm-Up: What Am I?

Listen to the clues and guess the shape! Raise your hand when you know the answer.

  1. I have no sides and no corners. I am perfectly round like a pumpkin! What am I?


  2. I have four straight sides, and all my sides are the same length. I am like a window on a haunted house! What am I?


  3. I have three sides and three corners. I look like a slice of pizza from a monster's party! What am I?


  4. I have four straight sides, but two sides are long and two sides are short. I look like a candy bar wrapper! What am I?


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