Student's Role:

Students are shape detectives on the trail of flat shapes. The students pretend they are on the important case of tracking down missing flat shapes. A list of shapes with diagrams will be provided for the students. The shapes students have to find are circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, and ovals.

Each supersleuth chooses one shape or more shapes from the list and writes its name on a copy of the "Missing Shape" sheet. The student then illustrates an animated likeness of the flat shape; then he or she carefully describes the shape; and then lists three or more places where it has been found in the classroom. To complete the sheet the student signs it. The sheets will be added to student’s math portfolio and checked by teacher for understanding.

Teacher's Role:

The teacher observes and asks questions to help students come up the descriptions. Teacher sets aside time for students to share their completed work with their classmates.