Straight Lines and Curves

Purpose:   This activity gives children practice in visual discrimination -- sorting, classifying, and reinforcing their recognition of letters.  By paying special attention to shape, the children will learn to distinguish the differences and similarities among the letters.

 

Materials/Advance Preparation:

• Letters of the alphabet (rubber, plastic, wooden or even alphabet pasta)
• A paper with three circles drawn on it, one paper for each group of children.  Mark each circle with a straight line, a curved line, or both (see # 2. below).

 

Directions:

1. Provide each group of 3-4 children a set of letters and the paper with the 3 circles. 
2. Have the children sort the letters by whether they are made of straight lines, curved lines or both, and place each type in one of the circles.

3. Encourage them to discuss how they made their choices and to name letters as they describe them.

    

Note:  The quantity and mix of letters that you use will depend on the ages and abilities of the children.  If straight and curved lines are a new concept, then you may want to start with only 2 circles and only all straight or all curved letters.  As the children's letter recognition advances, you can add the lower case letters and modify the game to include pairs of upper and lower case.  Always remember, it's a game.

 

Eric Gidseg

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