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Shape Helps It Work

  • Kindergarten
  • Science
  • K-2-ETS1-2
  • Engineering Design
  • Free lesson

Aligned to K-2-ETS1-2 — Next Generation Science Standards.

What this lesson teaches

The shape of a thing helps it do its job.

Worked examples

Example 1

A wheel is round so it can roll, but a box is flat so it can sit still and stack.

Example 2

A spoon has a curved scoop so it can hold soup, but a fork has points so it can spear food.

Example 3

A key is a funny shape on purpose. Its bumps match one lock and no other, which is exactly its job.

Practice questions

  1. Find something round and roll it, then find something flat and stack it.
  2. Draw a picture of a wheel and tell why it is round.
  3. Try rolling a box, then a ball, and tell which shape rolls best.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

La forma ayuda a que funcione

La forma de una cosa la ayuda a hacer su trabajo.

Ejemplo 1: Una rueda es redonda para poder rodar, pero una caja es plana para quedarse quieta y apilarse.

Ejemplo 2: Una cuchara tiene una curva para poder sostener sopa, pero un tenedor tiene puntas para poder picar la comida.

Ejemplo 3: Una llave tiene una forma rara a propósito. Sus picos coinciden con una sola cerradura, y eso es justo su trabajo.

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