Teachers have the opportunity to capitalize on a vast array of real-world, two- and three-dimensional objects as they guide students in developing a conceptual understanding of geometric shapes. An important component of the NCTM Standards is to use teaching methodologies that engage children in making real-world connections to the mathematics concepts they are learning. This component of realizing the Standards became the foundation for the authentic geometry unit that first and second graders from Grace B. Luhrs Elementary School experienced, in which they became active participants in discovering geometric shapes that are part of their real-world surroundings. Engaging children in this geometry unit resulted in many lasting benefits. Students were able to use what they found in their surroundings to compare and contrast two-dimensional shapes with shapes that have depth. The culminating Shape Walk activity opened up a whole new perspective for the children. They continued to delight in finding new shapes everywhere they looked. What these first and second graders learned about shapes from real-world experiences proved to be more than their teachers ever expected. (Contains 1 figure.)