How to Make Shapes Sudoku Using Cardboard

Learning Goals:

• Understand that shapes have attributes such as sides, angles, and corners 
• Recognize patterns using shapes 

Materials:

• Cardboard 
• Sticky notes or construction paper 
• Scissors 
• Ruler 
• Markers 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Step 1: Cut the cardboard into a square or rectangular shape.  
  
• Step 2: Create a 3x3 grid. Using a ruler, draw two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines to divide the square into nine smaller boxes, forming a grid. 
  
• Step 3: Use nine sticky notes or cut nine small squares from construction paper to fit into the boxes of the grid. 
  
• Step 4: Pick three different shapes and draw three of each for a total of nine shapes. (e.g., three circles, three triangles, and three squares). 
  
• Step 5: Arrange the game board. Place the shapes in the following format: 

• Step 6: Play the game. The goal is to arrange the shapes on the grid so that no shape repeats in any row or column. 
  

Game Tips:

• Create a larger grid and add more shapes if you have older kids or want an additional challenge (e.g., 4x4 grid with four different shapes). 
• Create two of the same sudoku games and race to see who can solve their puzzle the fastest (but more importantly, the most accurately). 
  

Keep the conversation going:

Here are some conversation starters to help incorporate math talk while playing the game:

• How many corners or sides does this shape have? 
  
• Should this shape go next to, above, or below this one? 
  
• What patterns do you notice?  
  

Book suggestions:

• “Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers” / “Brazaletes Para Los Hermanos De Bina” (Ages 3-6) by Paticia B. Boyer. In this book, your child will notice patterns with Bina as she makes beaded bracelets for her brothers. 
  
• “Bindu’s Bindis” / “Los Bindis de Bindu” (Ages 3-7) by Supriya Kelkar. In this book, Bindu’s bindis comes in many different shapes, and your child will help Bindu choose the perfect one for her big day. 
  

Corresponding Standards:

• Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten 
  
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.2. Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientation or overall size. 

• California Preschool Learning Foundations 

  • Algebra and Functions (Classification and Patterning) 
    
    • 2.0 Patterning
  • Geometry 
    
    • 1.0 Shapes 
      

• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework 

  • Operations and Algebraic Thinking 

    • Goal P-MATH 7. Child understands simple patterns.  
      
  • Geometry and Spatial Sense 
    
    • Goal P-MATH 9. Child identifies, describes, compares, and composes shapes.