Presentation

  1. 1

    Invite the child to build the Brown Stair on the rug.

  2. 2

    Bring the largest Pink Tower cube and place it against the end of the thickest prism to show that the square end and the cube face are the same size.

  3. 3

    Continue with each cube and its matching prism.

  4. 4

    Remove the cubes, then place each cube on top of the step of the matching prism so the stair continues in a single even slope.

  5. 5

    Look along the combined stair from the side and run your hand along the steps.

  6. 6

    Invite the child to try other arrangements where each cube matches its prism.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Build the stair and tower in patterns that keep each cube with its prism.
  2. Build with the prisms standing on end and the cubes stacked beside them.
  3. Add the Red Rods: lay the rods beside the stair so the sizes of all three series can be compared.
  4. Bring the matching cube for a prism from across the room.

Control of error

A cube that does not match its prism is visibly larger or smaller than the end of the prism, and the step is uneven.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Matches each cube to its prism without trial
  • Creates and describes their own combination
  • Carries both materials safely

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.