We’re Going on a Shape Hunt …

Field studies are a highlight of the school year, no doubt!  This school year Kindergarten student’s at Detroit Prep used curiosity and creativity to explore the Detroit Institute of Arts looking specifically for the shapes they learned about in their previous math unit. 

Shout out to the DIA for offering free field studies to students and also providing transportation!

Throughout the month of December, Kindergarten learned all about 2D shapes (3D shapes… coming soon!).  They have learned how to identify shapes by counting and labeling the amount of the sides and corners each one has.  They took that understanding of shapes to the DIA to see how artists also use shapes to create unique and beautiful art. 

A shape hunt wouldn’t be complete without a field study guide.  Students and chaperones were assigned multiple tasks and only 1 hour to complete it with their group.  Students and families were asked to locate a specific piece of art or a specific room in the museum.  Then they were asked a series of questions about the art.  For example, students played a game of I Spy looking closely at the painting Sorting Out Andy by Hernan Bas.  They solved riddles to find the specific shape (or shapes) within the painting. 

Here is the game if you are planning your own trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts! How many will you be able to find?!

• I spy 3 red circles stacked on top of each other.  

• I spy a medium green rectangle inside of a gray square. 

• I spy a rectangle with a face that’s next to a vase.

• I spy a rectangle with the number 83.

• I spy a red triangle below a white triangle.

Field studies are so important to us!  It was a magical opportunity for students and families to take their learning to the next level by exploring math concepts in the world around them!

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