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The Sort-A-Shape Activity Board (Lakeshore Learning) will help children identify shapes and colors. Depending on the child’s age, developmental level, and/or grade, the child can learn the following concepts:

• identify some shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
• identify some colors (red, blue, yellow, green)
• sort according to shapes
• sort according to colors

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Materials

The Sort-A-Shape Activity Board contains 17 wooden pieces (1 board and 16 shapes: 4 circles, 4 squares, 4 triangles, 4 rectangles). Each shape is represented in one of four colors (red, blue, yellow, green).

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My experience using the Sort-A-Shape Activity Board

In my practice as a special educator and SEIT, I have used the Sort-A-Shape Activity Board in a variety of ways. I have worked with children that are unable to identify colors and/or shapes. I have also worked with 3-year-olds that are able to identify all colors as well as shapes.

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Additional Activities

Ask simple WH questions – This is a great activity I have tried when working in small groups of 2-4 children. Each child has a shape and I ask one of the following questions:

• “What shape is this?”
• “Who has the circle/square/triangle/rectangle?” The child may respond “me” or “I do.” Also, one child can identify the peer (by name or by saying “he/she”) that has the circle/square/triangle/rectangle.
• “Where is the circle/square/triangle/rectangle?”

Children working on colors and shapes simultaneously can respond to a question involving two attributes:

“Where is the yellow triangle?”

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“One” and “All” – Encourage child to follow simple commands:

“Put ‘one’ circle on the board.”

“Put ‘all’ the triangles on the board.”

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Sorting – Encourage child to sort pieces according to SHAPES and/or COLORS:

Sorting according to shapes: “Put all the SQUARES on the board.”

Sorting according to color: “Put the BLUE shapes on the board.”

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Most children also demonstrated improvement in other areas, including but not limited to:

• not calling out
• identifying peer names
• responding when name is called
• waiting turn
• taking turns
• sharing
• isolating index finger to point
• joint attention
• improved attention span
• hand-eye coordination

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Suggestions

• Teaching multiple concepts at once is not a good idea. Teach COLORS and SHAPES separately. The Sort-A-Shape Activity Board should be used primarily to teach shapes. When learning colors and shapes at the same time, children usually name a color when asked to label a shape and a shape when asked to label a color. This can cause confusion.
• Sorting by two attributes should be introduced after child is able to identify all COLORS and SHAPES.
• Consider “field of ___” questions:

Field of two – one (1) of two (2) pieces is correct:

“Where is the circle?”

Field of three – one (1) of three (3) pieces is correct:

“Where is the square?”

Field of four – one (1) of four (4) pieces is correct:

“Where is the triangle?”

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Summary

The Sort-A-Shape Activity Board is a wooden board with 16 colorful wooden shapes. Children will be able to:

• identify some shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
• identify some colors (red, blue, yellow, green)
• sort according to shapes
• sort according to colors

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Additional Information

Where to buy