3D Shapes
Shape and Space
3D Shapes
Describe, compare and name 3D shapes, including cube, cuboid, cylinder, sphere and
cone.
Discuss the use of 3D shapes in the environment.
Solve and complete practical tasks and problems involving 2D and 3D shapes.
Explore the relationship between 2D and 3D shapes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describing, comparing and naming 3D shapes, including cube, cuboid, cylinder and sphere.
Discussing the use of 3D shapes in the environment.
Solving and completing practical tasks and problems involving 2D and 3D shapes.
Exploring the relationship between 2D and 3D shapes.
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1. Implementing: The children will select and use appropriate manipulatives (3D shapes) to carry
out mathematical tasks and procedures within this unit.
2. Applying and problem-solving: Applying what they know the children will construct different
shapes making sure each one has the correct properties.
3D shapes, 2D shapes, chick peas, toothpicks, various shaped boxes
Cube, cuboid, cylinder, sphere, cone, point, sides, faces, edges, corners, solid,
roll, slide, straight, round, curved
Note: The term ‘corner’ is used instead of vertex for ease of understanding by the children.
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General lesson suggestions
1. Creating 3D shapes
Divide the class into groups. The children must pretend to be architects and design their dream
home. They create a detailed plan by naming the shapes and quantity of each shape required. The
children then select various 3D shaped boxes and glue them together to create their home. Their
classmates will then have 2 minutes to write down the different shapes used in the different model
homes.
2. 3D shapes
The class should be divided into groups. Each group should collect pictures of 3D shapes and put
them on a poster. The children can learn the following poem to help them remember 3D shapes:
3D Shapes
A basketball is round and solid,
Its shape is called a sphere.
A dice’s shape is called a cube,
Its faces are flat and clear.
3. Maths trail
Go on a maths trail with the children around the local area. Bring a digital camera. The children
can identify examples of 3D shapes in the environment. Take a photograph of the different shapes
and then create a poster showing your findings. The children then go on a maths trail at home and
around their local area. They must identify and list 3D shapes in the environment. If possible, the
children can take photographs of the different shapes they found.
Activity A
The children to put a counter on each 3D shape as you call them out:
1. Name shapes?
2. Can the children identify which is the remaining shape? This activity can be played again
with one member of the class calling out the shapes to be covered such as: ‘first cover a
sphere, now put a counter over the cube, can you find the
cuboid? Place the counter on the cone, which shape is not
covered?’
Lesson suggestions
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1. Give each child some toothpicks and some chickpeas that have been in water overnight and
are a little soggy. The children will make 2D shapes with the chickpeas forming the corners and
the toothpicks the sides. The children will then join the 2D shapes together to make 3D shapes.
When they are finished making their 3D shape, let the shape dry. Using string hang the shape
from the classroom ceiling along with a label stating the name and properties of the shapes.
2. In groups the children should collect different 3D shaped boxes and dismantle them and
examine the properties of the shapes.
3. When exploring forces in SESE, the class can explore how the different 3D shapes can be
stacked, rolled or slid along different surfaces.
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Feely bag shapes
1. (a) Place a variety of 3D shapes in a bag. Ask a child to come up and select a shape in the bag
(the child keeps his/her hand in the bag). The class can chant, ‘Feely bag, what’s inside?
What’s the shape you try to hide? Is it a cube, cuboid, cylinder or sphere? What is it? We
want to hear!’
(b) Without looking at the shape, the child must describe it to their classmates by identifying
the number of faces and 2D shape that makes up the face. The class must figure out which
shape has been selected in the bag. When the children can guess the shape the child may
pull it out of the bag and see if they are correct. This activity can be repeated until all the
3D shapes have been guessed.
2. The children should make prints with the surfaces of 3D shapes. This will allow the children to
make nets which, when dry, they can cut out the templates and then assembly the 3D shapes.
3. Discuss where the children have seen examples of 3D shapes in the environment. Taking each
3D shape in turn, ask the children to examine the 2D shapes that make up the 3D shape nets.
Also count the faces, edges and corners of each shape.
Differentiation
Separate activity sheet
Shape riddles
Lower attainers:
Separate activity sheet
A. Match the 3D shape with each object.
Draw your shape here.
I have ____ faces.
Sphere
I have ____ edges.
I have ____ corners.
I look like a
__________.
Cube
What shape am I?
Cuboid
I have ____ faces.
Draw your shape here.
Higher attainers:
Separate activity sheet
Cone
I have ____ edges.
I have ____ corners.
Cylinder
I look like a
__________.
B. Draw an object that is the same shape as each of the following 3D shapes.
What shape am I?
cone
cylinder
I have ____ corners.
I look like a
__________.
What shape am I?
Name: _______________________________________
Date: ___________________
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cuboid
Name: _______________________________________
sphere
Date: ___________________
Folens Photocopiables © Michelle Hande, Veronica Ward
I have ____ edges.
Folens Photocopiables © Michelle Hande, Veronica Ward
I have ____ faces.
cube
Draw your shape here.
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Linkage
Shapes: 2D shapes, angles
Measures: Area
Data: recording shapes found
Integration
Art: Creating 3D shapes (constructing and drawing)
Parents can encourage children by pointing out various different shapes around the house or in
the local environment. The main shapes being covered are: cube, cuboid, cylinder, sphere, and
cone. Encourage children to identify these shapes independently and discuss the number of
faces and edges associated with that shape. Also help your child identify the 2D shapes which
make up that 3D shape.
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