Activity Introduction

Kids will use their observation skills in a structured way to explore a space outside. Kids will take a walk outside and look for shapes, patterns and textures that can be found in nature, and will keep a record of their observations.

Safety advice: Ensure kids understand risks associated with touching objects that are outside, such as prickly or poisonous plants.

This activity is a great one to do together as a family. Younger children will need support to complete this activity.

Idea for: Lower Primary Ages 6 – 8

Themes: 

  • investigate 
  • fresh air 
  • get moving 

Time required: 20 to 30 minutes

Curriculum connections: Mathematics, Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking

Tips for Parents and Carers

When completing an activity like this with kids, it can be useful to use additional prompts around what you’re doing to deepen the experience for kids. Prompts you could use include:

  • Why do you think that? Tell me more about that.
  • What does this make you think about?
  • What information is new to you?
  • What questions do you have about this?
  • What did you find interesting or important about this?

Lesson & Curriculum Details

Curriculum codes:

Complete lesson for classroom teachers:

Colours, shapes and patterns

Resources Required

  • Pen and paper
  • Device capable of taking photos (optional)

[email protected] from Cool Australia

[email protected] resources are designed for parents and teachers to use with children in the home environment. They can be used as stand-alone activities or built into existing curriculum-aligned learning programs. Our [email protected] series includes two types of resources. The first are fun and challenging real-world activities for all ages, the second are self-directed lessons for upper primary and secondary students. These lessons support independent learning in remote or school settings.

.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Student Worksheet

Searching For Shapes And Patterns - Activity Instructions

Kids will use their observation skills in a structured way to explore a space outside. Kids will take a walk outside and look for shapes, patterns and textures that can be found in nature, and will keep a record of their observations.

Safety advice: Ensure kids understand the risks associated with touching objects that are outside, such as prickly or poisonous plants.

Part A: Shapes And Patterns

Step 1. In this activity you will be going outside to look for patterns and shapes. This could be done by investigating what you already have in your yard or by going for a walk around the neighbourhood.

Before you do this, though, you need to take a moment to think about the difference between shapes and patterns. 

  • A shape is the outline of a form, like a square, circle or triangle
  • A pattern is a repeated arrangement of numbers, colours or shapes

Take a look at these pictures:

Shapes

Patterns

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.