Moving Shapes

How to play this game

This is an open ended, create and experiment activity. Children can make their shapes pictures come alive by using movement, resizing and random colouring tools.

On entering the game you will see five shape tabs on the left side of the screen. These contain forty-four shapes of differing size and colour. Shapes can be placed on the blank background using click and drag mouse control. They can also be moved around the background and removed from it completely.

On the bottom of the screen is a tool bar. The shapes can be manipulated by using the tools on the toolbar. They are as follows:

	Clear the screen.
	Turn the shapes with one click. Stop and turn them in the opposite direction with the next clicks.
	Move the shapes left and right.
	Move the shapes up and down.
	Resize the shapes. Small, medium and large.
	Stop all shape movement.
	Random movement.
	Change shape colour.
	6 ideas to try.

Sound can be turned off and on by clicking the music symbol in the lower right hand corner.

To exit, click on the small hand in the lower right corner of the screen.

Decorate the screen or make a picture with shapes. Send them flying over the screen, bouncing off the sides and making funny sounds.

Resize the shapes and make them change colour as they turn and bounce.

Click on the ideas button for inspiration.

Related Learning Outcomes

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

Developmental skills

Shape identification

Shape attributes

Colour identification

Creativity

Exploration

Trial and error

Using toolbars

Click and drag mouse control

Hand eye coordination

Teaching tips

Here are some suggestions:

• Decorate your screen with shapes and send them flying all over the place. Now try to catch and hold one of the shapes. It is harder than it sounds, but is easier if the shapes have been enlarged.
• Place red and blue shapes on the screen. Make them large and put faces on them all. Send them zooming around the screen.
• When the children have become familiar with the toolbar buttons give them some simple tasks. For example: "Place a pentagon on the screen. Make it move left and right. Can you make it change colour and turn as well?"
• The activity can also be used purely to make pictures and designs using the shapes.