This lesson is optional because it is an opportunity for extra practice that not all classes may need. In Activity 1, students revisit Stage 3 of the Picture Books center. This center was first introduced in Kindergarten, and this stage was introduced in Grade 1. In this stage, called Picture Books—Find Shapes, students describe, draw, and name shapes. As students learn more ways to describe shapes and their attributes, the shapes that they notice and how they describe and name them may change. In Activity 2, students choose to continue working on Picture Books, or choose between two previously introduced centers focused on adding and subtracting within 100.

Think about which students haven’t shared their strategies in class lately. Were there missed opportunities to highlight their thinking during recent lessons? How can you take advantage of those opportunities when they arise?