Build a Boat with Shapes

The Book

Let’s Build A Boat

Written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Meg Rennie, published by Little Hare Books

This inspiring picture book celebrates teamwork, creativity, and determination. As a group of children come together to build a boat for their picnic on an island, the story naturally lends itself to discussions about the purpose of a boat in general and context of the text (AC9TDE2K01 – Years 1 and 2, Design and Technologies). The story also highlights the importance of preparation before they begin (AC9TDE2P01 – Years 1 and 2, Design and Technologies), innovation and problem-solving when they face the challenge at sea (AC9TDE2P03 – Years 1 and 2, Design and Technologies).

Throughout their journey, they experience challenges and moments of joy, allowing students to reflect on how they manage emotions in different situations (AC9HP2P03 – Years 1 and 2, Health and Physical Education). The story also supports children in understanding how teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving help them to achieve shared goals (AC9HP2P01 – Years 1 and 2, Health and Physical Education).

Let’s Build a Boat is a perfect launchpad for hands-on STEM or creative projects, as well as social-emotional learning discussions around collaboration, effort, and celebrating differences.

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Resource creator

Kristina Wood

Subject

Designing (Design and Technologies), Shapes (Mathematics),

Level

Foundation,

Description

This hands-on lesson is one of our Design and Technology activities for Foundation Year students. Children use basic shapes to build a boat, combining creativity, fine motor skills, and early maths concepts. Using Let’s Build a Boat by Jane Godwin as a spark for discussion, the activity supports AC9TDEFP01 in the Australian Curriculum and encourages exploration of form and function in familiar objects.

Learning Intentions

• We are learning to apply knowledge of 2D shapes to design a boat.

Successful Criteria

• Identify and name parts of a boat.
• Select appropriate shapes for each boat component.
• Assemble a boat design using cut-out shapes.

Curriculum Alignment

AC9MFSP01 9.0 (Mathematics Foundation): Sort, name and create familiar shapes; recognise and describe familiar shapes within objects in the environment, giving reasons

• sorting a collection of shapes into groups based on different features such as the number of sides, colour or size, and describing how they have been sorted.
• creating a picture using a variety of shapes and a range of materials, including objects to trace around, describing the shapes they have created or used and sharing why they chose each shape in their picture
• creating familiar shapes using groups of people; for example, holding hands and creating a circle
• recognising and naming shapes that are (close to) rectangles, squares, triangles and circles in component parts of everyday items; for example, on bicycles, toy vehicles or kitchen pantry items
• describing and naming shapes within objects that can be observed on Country/Place, recreating and sorting into groups based on their shape

AC9TDEFP01 9.0 (Design and Technologies Foundation): Generate, communicate and evaluate design ideas, and use materials, equipment and steps to safely make a solution for a purpose

• identifying a purpose for designing and making a solution, for example the sand keeps blowing out of the sandpit, the birds keep flying into the waste bin and taking food scraps or people with disability need to know where they can park at school
• exploring ideas by drawing or modelling and choosing the most suitable idea, for example drawing or modelling designs for bee hotels to attract native bees to the school garden and choosing one to make, and changing perspectives from front view to plan view
• evaluating what they have made using personal preferences, for example using a smiley face Likert scale
• exploring how available materials can be used or re-used in construction play, for example using blocks and rain gutters or cardboard to make a ramp to roll a ball or toy car down
• practising a range of technical skills safely using equipment, for example joining techniques when making a product from materials, such as a greenhouse to keep a seedling warm or a trellis for holding up tomato plants
• assembling components of systems and checking they function as planned, for example making and testing a bowling, stacking or obstacle game with discarded food containers or packaging

Materials

Let’s Build a Boat by Jane Godwin
Coloured 2D shapes: circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, trapeziums…
A blank piece of paper (backing paper) or our template sheet, scissors, glue sticks
Pencils for outlining shapes

Instructions

1. Introduction

Begin with a discussion with the book cover:
- What (part) do boats need to function properly?
- What parts of the boat can you see from the cover?
List components such as hull, sail, cabin, and steering on the board.

2. Read Aloud

Read Let’s Build a Boat aloud.
Pause to discuss the purpose of each boat part as introduced in the story.

3. Shape Exploration

Display large cut-out shapes.
Discuss which shapes could represent different boat parts: hull (rectangle/trapezium), sail (triangle), steering wheel (circle).

4. Design and Build Activity

Students sketch their boat design using pencils and shapes.
Students cut out chosen shapes from coloured paper.
Assemble and glue shapes onto backing paper to complete the boat.

5. Reflection and Sharing

Students present their boats to the class.
Discuss the choice of shapes and parts included.

Extensions

Count how many of each shape they have used to build the boat.
Use tablets or computers to replicate the boat design digitally using shape tools.
Ask students to label each part of their boat using correct terminology.