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Circle Safari

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Lesson Plan

Circle Safari

Students will identify and describe circles, find circles in their environment, and practice tracing and drawing circles to build foundational shape recognition skills.

Recognizing and naming circles develops early geometry vocabulary and spatial awareness, laying the groundwork for future math concepts.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on exploration, scavenger hunt, and drawing practice.

Materials

Circle Flashcards, Circle Hunt Checklist, Circle Tracing Worksheet, Playdough Containers, Crayons or Washable Markers, and Clipboards or Hard Writing Surfaces

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduction

5 minutes

  • Show Circle Flashcards one at a time
  • Ask: “What shape is this?” and encourage students to say “circle”
  • Describe key features: round, no corners, one continuous curve
  • Have students repeat the vocabulary and point to a circle in the flashcard

Step 2

Circle Hunt Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute Circle Hunt Checklist and clipboards
  • Guide students on a mini-tour of the classroom or hallway
  • Students look for real-life circles (clocks, lids, wheels) and check them off
  • Discuss each find and reinforce the term “circle”

Step 3

Circle Drawing Practice

8 minutes

  • Hand out Circle Tracing Worksheet and crayons
  • Demonstrate tracing the pre-drawn circles, then freehand drawing
  • Students trace each circle and then draw their own in blank spaces
  • Circulate to offer praise and gentle corrections

Step 4

Playdough Circles

5 minutes

  • Give each student a Playdough Container
  • Instruct students to roll and shape the playdough into circles
  • Compare their playdough circles to the flashcard examples
  • Reinforce vocabulary: “circle,” “round,” “curved”

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Assessment

2 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and ask: “What did we learn about circles today?”
  • Invite a few volunteers to show their traced, drawn, or playdough circles
  • Provide positive feedback and clarify any misunderstandings
  • Collect worksheets to check for correct circle tracing and drawing
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Slide Deck

Circle Safari

Kindergarten Geometry Lesson
Duration: 30 minutes

Welcome students! Today we’re going on a Circle Safari to explore circles all around us. We’ll learn what makes a circle special and practice finding and making them.

Our Learning Goal

• Identify and describe circles
• Find circles in our classroom
• Trace, draw, and make circles

Read the slide aloud. Emphasize that by the end of our lesson we’ll be circle experts!

What Is a Circle?

A circle is:
• Round shape
• No corners
• One continuous curve

Show a big circle on the board or projector. Ask students to point and tell you what they notice.

Circle Flashcards

Look at each shape.
• If it’s a circle, say “Yes!”
• If not, say “No.”

Display or hold up different flashcards. Ask: “Is this a circle? Why or why not?”

Circle Hunt

  1. Walk around the classroom.
  2. Find real-life circles (e.g., clock, lid, wheel).
  3. Check them off on your list.

Hand out the Circle Hunt Checklist and clipboards. Guide students around the room slowly.

Trace and Draw Circles

  1. Trace the circles on your worksheet.
  2. Try drawing circles on the blank spaces.

Model tracing on a worksheet projector or board. Show how to hold the crayon gently.

Playdough Circles

• Roll the playdough into a ball or snake.
• Make it into a circle.
• Compare with flashcard circles.

Give each student a small piece of playdough. Encourage them to roll into long snakes then form circles.

Circle Review

• What did we learn about circles?
• Show your favorite circle you found or made.

Gather students back on the carpet. Ask a few volunteers to share their traced or playdough circles.

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Worksheet

Circle Tracing Worksheet

Name: ____________________ Date: ___________

A. Trace the Circles

Trace over each circle. Try to stay on the line!

○ ○ ○ ○






B. Trace the Smaller Circles

Trace each small circle carefully.

◌ ◌ ◌ ◌






C. Draw Your Own Circles

Use the blank spaces below to draw three circles all by yourself. Make them as round as you can!




























D. Bonus: Circle Hunt Drawings

Draw and label three circles you find in our classroom or at home.



















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Activity

Circle Hunt Checklist

Name: ____________________ Date: ___________

Instructions

Walk around the classroom or hallway with your clipboard. When you spot a circle, check it off the list below.

  • Clock (on the wall or desk)
  • Round lid (e.g., paint pot, jar)
  • Wheel (toy car, chair)
  • Plate or bowl
  • Ball or globe
  • Button (on clothing or device)
  • Wheel (bicycle or toy)
  • Other circle: _____________________


  • Other circle: _____________________


Great job hunting for circles!

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Reading

Circle Flashcards

Print this page on cardstock and cut out each shape card along the table grid. Use the cards to practice identifying circles. Show one card at a time and ask: “Circle or Not Circle?”

◯⚪○●
△□▲■
:--::--::--::--:

Tip: Laminate the flashcards for durability and use them in small groups, as exit tickets, or for independent practice.

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Cool Down

Circle Cool-Down

Name: _________________ Date: ___________

A. Circle Features

Write two things we learned about circles today:







B. Draw Your Favorite Circle

Draw the circle you liked best from today’s lesson (circle hunt, tracing, or playdough):










C. Share with a Partner

Turn and tell your friend:

“I found/made a _________ circle because __________________.”

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