Stick Triangles: Count and Jump

In small groups, children build triangles and squares on the ground with plastic poles, count the sides and then travel around jumping over each side. It builds shape construction, counting sides and corners, and jumping over a low obstacle.

How to play

1. The teacher shows that 3 poles on the ground make a triangle and 4 make a square; we count together (1 min).
2. In groups of four, each group takes 3 poles and builds a triangle, then takes one more and turns it into a square (4 min).
3. We jump over each side of our square, outside to inside and inside to outside, counting the jumps (3 min).
4. We visit other groups' shapes: we walk along the poles like tightrope walkers and count the corners (3 min).
5. The teacher places a hoop in the middle of a square: does a circle have corners? We hop around it (2 min).
6. Together we put away the poles one by one, counting, until they're back in their box (2 min).

Rules

• Poles always stay on the ground, never in the air.
• Jump over without stepping on the poles.
• We build together: each of us places a pole.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child with limited mobility: instead of jumping, travels the edge of the shape touching each pole or rolling alongside.
• Blind or low-vision child: feels the poles to count the sides and jumps holding a buddy's hand.
• Autistic child: stays in the same group, and the task is shown with a photo of the finished shape.

Learning goals

• Build triangles and squares.
• Count sides and corners.
• Jump over low obstacles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• picas: 24
• aros: 6

Teacher tip

Use light plastic poles and make it clear from the start that they stay on the ground. Corners don't need to be perfect: what matters is that the shape is closed.

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