Beads were one of the many materials we introduced last week. While a small group was creating bracelets, I overheard this conversation regarding the available shapes. (The names are not real.)
Henry: I need a cube.
Henry: Can you hand me a cube?
Harriette: What’s a cube?
Henry: This. (points to a cube shaped bead)
Esther: I have a sphere.
Harriette: I found a cone.
Please remember this was the very first introduction to beads on the second day of school. We have not had any discussions pertaining to geometric properties or three-dimensional shapes. This is an excellent example of spontaneous peer teaching and learning.