Materials
very long piece of string or ribbon
Instructions
1. Cut a very long piece of string or ribbon that is big enough for all of the children to hold in a large circle.
2. Begin with two children holding the string or ribbon between them. Ask the children: "How many ends are there?" Explain that when there are two ends, the string makes a line.
3. Have another child join them. Give one child both ends of the string to hold and ask the other two children to hold the string taut with their fingers while creating a triangular shape.
4. Ask the children how many sides there are now (3). Ask how many children are holding the string. Ask them what shape this makes.
5. Have another child join them in holding a point of the string and create a new point to the shape. Help the children form a square. Ask them how many sides there are, how many children are holding the string, and what shape they made.
6. Continue to add one child at a time to create the following shapes:5 children = a pentagon (some children may call it a "house")6 children = a hexagon7 children = a heptagon8 children = an octagon (or a STOP sign)7. Now have all the children join in the activity to create a circle.
