2D shapes card game fun that keeps every hand ready to slap! The 2D Shape "Slap-It!" Card Game Math Center helps students learn 2D shapes in a fast-paced way, using real-life pictures, definitions, names, shape representations and the number of sides for each shape.

This game is a modified form of the old favorite "Slap Jack." The difference is that there is a center pile in addition to the player piles. The card turned over in the center pile shows which card players are looking to slap. Once a player slaps the matching card, a new center card is turned over and the search begins again. With simple shapes such as heart and circle alongside complex shapes such as scalene triangle and dodecagon (a shape with 12 sides), it is easy to adapt from Pre-K through 6th grade.

With this 2D shapes card game, you get

• A fast-paced Slap-It! game for 2D shape practice
• Five card formats for 23 shapes: shape pictures, real-life objects, shape names, side counts and written attribute descriptions
• Simple and complex shapes, so the game fits Pre-K through 6th grade
• Easy ways to change the game by choosing which cards go in the center pile

Print, cut and let the slapping begin!

What's Included

• Shape cards in five formats: geometric shapes, real-life objects, shape names, number of sides and written attribute descriptions (definitions)
• 23 shapes in all, from heart, star and circle to scalene triangle and dodecagon
• 7 triangle cards: 6 specifically labeled triangles and one general triangle for lower levels
• 2 word cards for oval/ellipse and diamond/rhombus, so you can use whichever word you wish
• Setup and play directions for the Slap-It! game

Please note:

• The definition cards assume the attributes of a regular polygon.
• "Real-life" pictures are not included for all shapes. They are included based on availability.

Why Teachers Love It

• Fast-paced practice: Students have to look closely and react quickly, so shape review never drags.
• One game, many levels: Use only the most common shapes with young learners or bring in higher level shapes for older students.
• Targets tricky formats: Choose any card format for the center pile so students get extra review on the part they struggle with most.
• Real-world connections: Real-life pictures help students see shapes in everyday objects.
• Flexible vocabulary: Pick oval or ellipse and diamond or rhombus to match the words you teach.
• Easy to set up again: Once the cards are cut, the game is ready for centers, small groups and partner play all year.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Shape recognition: Students identify 2D shapes in pictures and real-life objects.
• Shape vocabulary: Name cards connect each shape to its word, from circle to dodecagon.
• Shape attributes: Side count and definition cards help students describe shapes by their parts.
• Matching across formats: Students link a picture, a name, a real-life object and a definition for the same shape.
• Visual discrimination: Students tell apart similar shapes, such as the different kinds of triangles.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Maintaining attention
• Following directions
• Using mathematical language
• Waiting during group play
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Print and cut apart the cards. Choose which shapes and card formats to use, then pick one format to be the center pile.

Step 2: Place the center pile cards face down. Deal the remaining card formats face down among the players.

Step 3: Flip a new center card. Players take turns placing one of their cards face up. When a card matches the center card, the first player to slap the pile collects the cards. Flip another center card and keep playing.

Easy Differentiation

Every class has students who are at different places with shapes. These variations make it simple to set up the game for each group.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Use only the most common shapes on pages 4 and 7 and the corresponding real-life pictures
• Do picture-to-picture matching with pages 4-6 and 20-22 (or any matching selections from those pages)
• Use the general triangle card in place of the 6 labeled triangles
• Play with fewer shapes at a time

For On-Level Practice

• Use all varieties of cards for a limited number of shapes
• Put the format students find hardest in the center pile
• Have students name each shape as they slap it
• Add more shapes as students are ready

For an Extra Challenge

• Use higher level shapes and leave out shapes such as heart and star
• Include all 6 labeled triangles
• Use the definition cards as the center pile
• Ask the player who slaps to explain how the cards match

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Use the name and picture cards to practice shape vocabulary
• Have students point to or touch the match if slapping is hard
• Play with two players and a small set of cards
• Use a short language frame such as "That is a ___."
• Give extra processing time before each card is flipped

Perfect For

• Math centers
• Small groups
• Partner games
• Circle time
• Shape review
• Intervention
• Early finishers
• Indoor recess
• Homeschool
• Pre-K through 6th grade

Standards

This 2D shapes card game supports the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, plus kindergarten and 1st grade geometry standards in Common Core, the TEKS (Math, adopted 2012) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS K.G.A.1: Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, as on the real-life picture cards.
• CCSS K.G.A.2: Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.
• CCSS K.G.B.4: Compare 2D shapes using informal language to describe their parts, such as the number of sides.
• CCSS 1.G.A.1: Tell defining attributes, such as closed and three-sided, apart from attributes like color or size.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.C.1: Name and describe common 2D shapes using the simple shape cards.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.C.4: Recognize common shapes regardless of orientation and size.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Math K.6.A: Identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles and squares.
• TEKS Math K.6.D: Identify attributes of 2D shapes using informal and formal geometric language.
• TEKS Math 1.6.D: Identify 2D shapes, including special rectangles and rhombuses, and describe their attributes using formal geometric language.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.MG.2: Identify and name pictures of circles, triangles, squares and rectangles regardless of their orientation.
• VA SOL Math K.MG.2.b: Describe triangles, squares and rectangles by their number of sides and vertices (corners).
• VA SOL Math 1.MG.2: Describe, sort and name plane figures by characteristics such as number of sides.

Add the 2D Shape "Slap-It!" Card Game Math Center to your cart and give your students a fast, hands-on way to master shape names, pictures and attributes. Deal the cards, flip the center pile and watch shape review become everyone's favorite center!

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account