Shape Shifters Slides SHAPE SHIFTERS
Combining Shapes to Make Magic!
Look Closely!
Did you know this square is actually two triangles hiding together?
Shapes can join together to make brand new things!
Can You Build This?
Target Image
The Pieces:
"First I use the square for the walls, then the triangle for the roof!"
Shapes are Everywhere!
Sailboat
Rocket
Flower
Build Time!
Use your blocks to create a Monster, a House, or a Vehicle!
Let's go, Shape Shifters!
Shape Mashup Activity SHAPE MASHUP
Pattern Block Puzzles
Builder Name
Date
The Challenge:
Can you use your blocks to fill in the shadows? Use squares, triangles, and more!
PUZZLE 01
The Tiny Cottage
"I need a strong base and a pointy roof."
1x
1x
PUZZLE 02
Space Explorer
"How many shapes can you fit inside?"
PUZZLE 03
The Giant Gem
"Can you fill this big shape using 2 trapezoids? Or 6 triangles?"
My Secret Invention
Build something brand new in the space below!
Shape Puzzle Guide SHAPE PUZZLE GUIDE
Teacher Facilitation Resource
Lesson 1
Shape Shifters
Objective
Students will recognize that complex figures can be composed by joining smaller geometric shapes.
Group Size
Small groups (3-4) or individual exploration at centers.
Materials
Shape Shifters Slides, Shape Mashup Mat, Pattern Blocks or Tangrams.
Talking Points & Questions
Introduction:
"Friends, look at this square. It's one solid shape, right? But what happens if I draw a line down the middle? It turns into TWO triangles! Today, we are going to be Shape Shifters and use small shapes to make big pictures."
During Construction:
"Which shape has the straightest edge for the wall?"
"Can you find a shape with three corners to make a roof?"
"What happens if you turn that triangle sideways?"
Synthesis:
"Could we make this house using only triangles?"
"Which was the hardest part of the rocket to build?"
What to Look For
Skill Area Success Indicators Alignment Student rotates and flips blocks to fit exactly within the outlines. Substitution Student realizes two triangles can substitute for a square (advanced). Vocabulary Student uses shape names (square, triangle, hexagon) while building.
Support (Scaffolding)
"If a student is struggling to orient shapes, help them find the 'flat side' first and match it to the flat side of the outline. Encourage them to use fewer, larger shapes first."
Challenge (Extension)
"Ask students to build the same image using DIFFERENT shapes (e.g., fill the square shadow using only triangles). Invite them to build a 3D version using wooden blocks."
Wobble Watch Slides WOBBLE WATCH!
Engineering for Stability
Why do things fall?
Some shapes are STURDY and STABLE.
"They stay right where we put them!"
Some shapes are WOBBLY.
"CRASH! They tip over!"
STABLE
WOBBLY
It's All About the BASE!
WOBBLY!
Circles roll and tip. Hard to stack!
STURDY!
Flat bottoms stay flat. Easy to stack!
Look at the Bottom!
House
Flat and wide!
Mountain
Wide at the bottom!
Tree
Roots grow wide!
TOWER TIME!
Can you build a tower that is taller than your knee without falling?
Start Building!
Tower Power Checklist TOWER TEST LOG
Official Builder Document
Architect
How to use:
Build a tower. Circle the face that shows what happened!
1
Test One
My First Tower
STURDY
WOBBLY
2
Test Two
A Tall Tower
STURDY
WOBBLY
3
Test Three
Heavy Weight Test
STURDY
WOBBLY
"Engineers learn from every fall!"
Stability Secrets Teacher Guide STABILITY SECRETS
Engineering Guide for Teachers
Lesson 2
Tower Power
The Physics: Base & Balance
Stability in construction relies on the Base of Support. In Pre-K terms, this means the part of the block touching the ground needs to be wide and flat. Gravity is always "pulling" the tower down; if the weight isn't balanced over the center of that flat base, the tower tips.
Critical Words
Foundation: The very bottom of our building.
Stable: Staying still; not wobbly.
Balance: When weight is shared evenly.
Child-Friendly Phrases
"Let's give our tower big feet!" (Wide base)
"Is it a wiggler or a waiter?" (Wobbly vs. Stable)
"Gravity is giving it a hug!" (Why it falls)
Guiding the Inquiry
1
The "Weighty" Question:
"If we want to put this heavy rock on top of our tower, which block should be at the bottom? The big flat square or the pointy triangle?"
2
Testing Predictivity:
"Before you let go of your block... do you think it will stay or go 'timber'?"
Troubleshooting Building Frustration
Issue: The tower falls every time.
Encourage the student to check their foundation. Are they building on a carpet? Try a hard tray or table. Are they stacking small on big or big on small?
Issue: Using only one type of block.
Challenge them: "You are a master of the squares! Can you find a way to use a cylinder (the 'rolling block') safely in the middle of your tower?"
Animal Escape Slides ANIMAL ESCAPE!
Building Secure Enclosures
Where is the Bunny?
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
Oh no! A Hole!
If there is a GAP in your fence, the animals will escape!
Every block must touch another block to make a CLOSED shape.
Engineers use Shapes!
Squares
Triangles
PENS READY?
Pick an animal and build them a house with NO HOLES!
Dog Pen
Rabbit Run
Pig Pen
Fence Fixer Challenge Mat FENCE FIXERS
ANIMAL SECURITY DIVISION
Architect
LEVEL 1: THE GAP
Seal the Gate!
Put blocks here to stop the Bunny!
LEVEL 2: CORNERS
4 Strong Walls
Can you build a square fence over these lines?
THE GIANT HABITAT
"Combine all your blocks to make one big fence!"
BUILD AREA
No Holes
Animal Inside
Walls Touch
Inside Outside Guide INSIDE OUTSIDE GUIDE
Spatial Logic & Perimeter Facilitation
Lesson 3
Animal Pen Architects
Learning Objective: Students will understand that a "closed" shape creates a boundary that separates an inside space from an outside space.
The "Touching Edge" Rule
The Engineering Problem:
For an enclosure to be functional, every element must connect. A single gap (no matter how small) breaks the "inside/outside" logic. This is the foundation of understanding Perimeter.
Spatial Vocabulary:
Boundary Enclosure Corner Gap Perimeter
Facilitation Questions
"I see your blocks are lined up, but look! Could a tiny mouse squeeze through here? How can we close the gap?"
"If we add one more animal, do we need a bigger enclosure or more fences? How many blocks long is your fence?"
"Is the grass inside the pen or outside the pen?"
Observing Spatial Reasoning
Developmental Stage
Strategic Moves
The "Security Guard" Game
"Walk around the classroom 'checking the locks' on student enclosures. Use a small toy (or your finger) and try to 'escape' from their pens. If you find a gap, prompt them to fix it by saying, 'Halt! The bunny found a secret door! How can we build a stronger wall?'"
Bridge Builders Slides BRIDGE BUILDERS
Spanning the Gap
How can we cross?
THE RIVER
The gap is too big! We need a BEAM.
Finding the Right Shape
Circles roll away!
"I can't drive on a ball!"
Flat rectangles stay!
"This is a strong bridge!"
Shapes in Bridges
Triangles
Triangles make bridges very STIFF and strong!
Beams
A beam sits on top of two POSTS.
RIVER CROSSING!
Can you build a bridge that lets three cars cross at the same time?
Grab your blocks!
River Crossing Mat RIVER CROSSING
Bridge Engineering Center
Builder Name
WATER
WAVES
RIVER
Start Here
POST A
Finish Line
POST B
Span the Gap!
12 INCHES WIDE
Bonus!
Mid-River
"Does it stay up when you let go?"
Strong Posts
Flat Beam
Car Can Drive
Bridge Engineering Guide BRIDGE ENGINEERING
Spanning, Support, and Gravity
Lesson 4
Bridge Builders
The Challenge: Horizontal Spanning
Bridging is one of the most difficult engineering tasks for Pre-K students because it requires simultaneous alignment. The student must manage two vertical supports (posts) and one horizontal member (beam) that must be long enough and flat enough to stay put.
Engineering Terms
Span: The distance from one side to the other.
Beam: The flat part people walk or drive on.
Post: The strong legs that hold up the bridge.
Scaffolding Questions
"Is your beam long enough to reach both islands?"
"If we push the islands closer, is it easier to build?"
"Do we need a helper post in the middle of the water?"
Phases of Development
Phase 1: Direct Spanning
Student places a long block directly on the floor across the "river" mat. (Success! They've crossed, but haven't used supports yet.)
Phase 2: Elevation
Student builds two towers (posts) and tries to balance a beam on top. This requires precision and understanding that the beam needs two points of contact.
Phase 3: Multi-Block Spanning
Student creates a long beam by joining two blocks together with a central support (post). This is advanced architectural thinking!
Common Frustration: "My bridge is too short!"
Pre-K students often select a block that is exactly the same width as the river, leaving no "shelf" for it to sit on the posts.
The Fix: Encourage them to "measure" by laying the block on the floor first. Ask: "Is it longer than the water? Does it have ears that can sit on the land?"
Master Builders Slides MASTER BUILDERS
The Architect's Final Challenge
Arch-i-tects...
1
They make a PLAN first.
2
They pick the BEST SHAPES.
3
They BUILD for a reason!
Your Castle Needs...
A DOOR
A gap for a person!
A ROOF
Something on top!
STURDY BASE
No wobbling!
Which shapes will you use?
Triangle
Square
Rectangle
Cylinder
"I will use the squares for the walls and the rectangles for the bridge!"
- Expert Architect
DREAM IT. DRAW IT. BUILD IT.
Grab your blueprint sheet. Let's start the Master Builder Challenge!
Blueprints for Builders Activity OFFICIAL BLUEPRINT
Master Builder Challenge
Architect
Door
Roof
Sturdy
Drafting Space
DRAW YOUR PLAN HERE
"What shapes will you need?"
Circle the shapes you use!
Architect Assessment Rubric MASTER BUILDER ASSESSMENT
Pre-K Engineering Observation Rubric
Lesson 5
The Final Challenge
Use this rubric to assess student progress during the Final Architect Challenge. Focus on their use of vocabulary and their ability to solve structural problems (stability, gaps, spanning) independently.
Engineering Skill Emerging Proficient Advanced Shape Composition Recognizes basic shapes (square, triangle) but builds them in isolation. Joins shapes to make complex figures (e.g., triangle roof on square walls). Substitutes multiple small shapes to fill the same space as one large shape. Structural Stability Towers frequently fall; student builds on narrow or curved bases. Selects wide, flat blocks for foundations; builds sturdy towers. Builds tall, stable towers and can explain why the base needs to be flat. Spatial Enclosure Builds walls/fences with significant gaps; animals "escape". Closes shapes completely by ensuring block edges touch. Uses vocabulary like "inside", "outside", and "perimeter" correctly while building. Bridging & Gaps Avoids gaps; builds directly on the floor. Successfully spans a gap by balancing a beam on two posts. Adds central supports or uses multiple blocks to span very wide gaps.
Post-Build Interview
Ask the "Architect" these questions to assess their thinking:
"Tell me about your castle. What is the strongest part?"
"Why did you pick this shape for the roof?"
"How does the person get inside? Where is the door?"
"How did you make sure the tower wouldn't fall down?"
Teacher Reflection 
