Guess My Rule - DREME For Teachers

The teacher sorts three or four shapes into two categories according to a secret rule they have determined ahead of time (for example, triangles vs. rectangles). Then, the teacher asks children to guess their rule and figure out which category each additional shape should be sorted into. Once most children appear to have figured out the rule, the teacher asks the children to Think-Pair-Share to describe it. The teacher then plays again with another rule.

Primary Objective

Identifying shapes and describing the characteristics of shapes
Sorting shapes based on different rules, such as shape family (for example, triangles vs. rectangles), geometric features (for example, shapes with four sides/angles vs. shapes with five sides/angles), and geometric properties (for example, shapes with four equal length sides vs. shapes without)

How to use

First, introduce the activity to the WHOLE GROUP.
Then, engage children in the activity in SMALL GROUPS.
Once the children are very familiar with the activity, they can play it independently at CENTER TIME with slight modifications.

Whole Group
Small Group

This activity can be adapted to make it easier or harder, depending on children’s current shape knowledge. If the activity seems too easy for children, try some of the Make It Harder challenges. If it’s too difficult, try some of the Make It Easier suggestions.

Materials

Set of at least 15 shapes. You can use pattern blocks, tangrams, attribute blocks, and/or shapes you make from foam board or cardstock.
Shape Sorting Mats (two sheets of paper of different colors)
Think-Pair-Share Cards
Listen and Speak Cards

Teacher Resources

Sorting Rules: Ideas for sorting rules, organized by level of difficulty to adapt to children’s current shape knowledge
Shape Glossary: Sample language to use when describing shapes to children
Think-Pair-Share: Sample language to use when introducing the Think-Pair-Share concept to children

Explore the Executive Function and Math Skills in This Activity

Steps of the activity

The activity steps icons below outline the steps of the activity. Print these icons as cards and share them to help children remember the steps. They’re also a helpful scaffold for children!

Find a sample script for teachers to use here.

Setup 1

Gather 15 shapes and two pieces of blank paper in two different colors.

Step 1

Teacher sorts four shapes based on the predetermined sorting rule.

Step 2

Teacher holds up the next shape and asks children to figure out where the shape belongs by guessing the sorting rule.

Step 3

Teacher verifies the correct answer and places the shape, continuing with more shapes until children can verbalize the rule.

Instructions

Instructions for introducing the activity to the Whole Group .

Activity Set-Up
	Choose which sorting rules and shape sets you are going to use. Review the Sorting Rules Handout for ideas. Adjust the Challenge MAKE IT EASIER Math: use familiar shapes (for example, circles, triangles, squares, rectangles). Math & EF: use easier sorting rules that include shapes with very different properties (for example, squares vs. triangles). MAKE IT HARDER Math: use less familiar shapes (for example, hexagons, trapezoids). Math & EF: use more difficult sorting rules that include shapes with similar shape properties (for example, rectangles vs. squares) or are based on properties (for example, shapes with more than one right angle vs. those without).
Activity Warm-Up
Today, we’re going to do an activity with shapes. First, we’re going to talk about the shapes we’re going to use.	Using shapes from the shape set, show examples of shapes you will be using during the activity. Name the shapes that will be focused on during the activity. If you’re introducing new shapes to children, consider using the Shape Glossary Handout for definitions, language, tips, and examples.
Introduce the Activity
We’re going to play a shape guessing game! It’s called Guess My Rule. For some parts of this game, no one can talk—not even the teacher! Watch carefully as I sort shapes here (gesture to one side of the Shape Mat) or here (gesture to other side of the Shape Mat) and guess the rule I’m thinking about. Why am I putting some shapes here (gesture) and other shapes here (gesture)?	Show children the shape set.
Model the Activity
Let’s give it a try! First, I’m going to put some shapes in two different groups following my secret rule.	Put one shape at a time on either side of the Shape Sorting Mats, following the chosen rule (for example, triangles on one side and circles on the other). Place at least two shapes on each of the Sorting Mats (two sheets of paper of different colors).
Now I need your help figuring out which side this shape (hold up another shape) should go on—but remember, your guess has to follow my secret rule!	Hold up another shape without telling children which side it belongs on.
Shhh … remember, no one talks during this part! If children need a reminder of what the Listen and Speak cards means, explain: When I hold up this picture, we all have to be really quiet. Let’s practice!	Show the Listen and Speak cards to remind children to remain silent for this part. Encourage children to point as needed. Adjust the Challenge MAKE IT EASIER EF: use the Listen and Speak cards. MAKE IT HARDER EF: omit the Listen and Speak cards
On the count of three, everyone quietly point to the side you think this shape should go on. One, two, three… Place the shape on the correct side of the Shape Mat.
Let’s try another shape (hold up another shape).	Show another shape and continue the steps above (showing a shape, children pointing, placing the shape) until you have added at least three additional shapes (or until most children are consistently correct), with children quietly guessing where each belongs.
Now, pause and Think-Pair-Share with your partner and guess my rule. What was my rule for sorting these shapes?	Remove the Listen and Speak cards and encourage children to Think-Pair-Share what they think the sorting rule is and why. Review Think-Pair-Share as necessary. Adjust the Challenge MAKE IT EASIER EF: use the Think-Pair-Share cards. MAKE IT HARDER EF: omit the Think-Pair-Share cards.
What was my rule?	Ask children to share their guess for the rule after all have engaged in Think-Pair-Share with a partner.
You got it! My rule was…	Confirm the sorting rule, reviewing why each shape met the rule or not as needed.
Let’s try another rule!	As time allows, play additional rounds using new sorting rules.

Explore The Executive Function And Math Skills In This Activity

Executive Function Skills

Math Learning Trajectories

2D shapes levels

What to do next

Do some children need more support or more challenge? Try the adaptation ideas to make the activity easier or harder. On another day, do this activity in Small Group.

This activity can be scaffolded to support all children’s shape knowledge. If the activity seems too easy for children, try some of the Make It Harder challenges. If it’s too difficult, try some of the Make It Easier suggestions.