To prepare for this activity, cut sheets of sandpaper into basic shapes, peel the paper off a supply of crayons, and gather a few clipboards.. Working with two or three children at a time, have each child choose a sandpaper shape. Use a piece of rolled masking tape to secure each child's shape to a clipboard. Then clip a sheet of white copy paper over the shape. Demonstrate how to rub the length of the crayon across the paper to make the shape "magically" appear. Continue with different crayon colors and shapes on the same or different paper.
Shaving Cream Shapes
Spray some shaving cream onto a table or cookie sheet for each child. Encourage the children to use their index fingers to draw shapes as you call them out. Walk around to check each child's work and provide guidance when necessary.
As a variation, use pudding in place of shaving cream.
Shapes--Play Dough Practice
Provide more tactile experiences with shapes in your play dough center. Set out play dough, cookie cutters, rolling pins and cutting tools, such as plastic knives or craft sticks. Encourage your students to cut the dough into shapes, either using the cookie cutters or freehand with the cutting too.