Working with shapes – Domino game
Type of Submission:

This idea is a submission for:
X A curriculum idea
__Cool things to do
__A special issue
Age group for whom this activity is appropriate:
3-5 years
 
Brief description of activity:
Using the computer to make shapes and create a dominoes game
What I did to set this up and how I followed through:
With the kids, I used the exploratory mode in Millie’s Math House to make different combinations of shapes. We printed these out to make a set of dominoes.
Materials used:
Millie’s Math House software (You could also use the drawing tools in Word or KidPix; cardboard; scissors
What the children had to do and what I wanted them to learn:
  • I made sure all the kids spent some time in free play exploring shapes with materials we have in the classroom such as pattern blocks, unit blocks, and puzzles.
  • I worked with small groups of children to name and identify basic shapes
  • I introduced the Frank Lloyd Mouse activity in Millie’s Math House
  • We made various combinations of shapes, cut them out, and pasted them on to cardboard strips to make a game of dominoes.
  • The dominoes were available in a shoebox in our manipulatives area
Images of the Activity:
   
Background: How I got the idea:
I always work on shapes and I noticed how much the kids were enjoying Frank Lloyd Mouse. I thought this game would help them further explore shapes and learn to identify and name them. .
Analysis: How the kids and/or parents responded:
Kids always love teacher-made games. I think this one had extra appeal because they helped create it on the computer. I like giving them opportunities to extend their use of the computer into other areas of the classroom.
Extension

We used the shape sheet from the software to take a walk around the room and name the shapes we saw. For example, most of our books are rectangles, our plates for snack are circles, etc.

We took a walk around the block looking for shapes. For example, we saw windows that were the shape of rectangles and squares; tires on cars that were circles; triangular shaped and semi-circular windows on top of doors
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Assessment Opportunities
How can I keep track of children’s learning with computer games?
 Creative Play
How can I foster the free expression of children’s ideas with the computer?
 Skill Levels
How can I present children with increasing levels of challenge at the computer?
 Helping Others
How can I help children learn computer games together, sharing their knowledge with their peers?
 Making Decisions
How can I help children become
more autonomous when playing with the computer?
 Mastery
How can I help children rehearse
new skills on the computer until they are fully mastered?
 Solving Problems
How can I make sure children are solving meaningful problems when playing computer games?