3D Shapes!

There are 3D shapes everywhere! Have a look around your house to find everyday objects which are 3D shapes. Here are some examples: an orange is a sphere, a tin of beans is a cylinder and a dice is a cube. Please see pictures for more ideas of household items as 3D shapes.

Go through all the shapes you have in your household and name the shapes together. Please just focus on the shapes: sphere, cylinder, cube, cuboid, cone, and pyramid. Encourage your child to look at one of the shapes in particular; you could start with a cube (dice). Point to a face and explain that they are called ‘faces’. How many faces do you think the cube has?

•       Look at, point to and count the faces together. Place a sticker on each face as you count it, as a reminder and record the number of faces on a sticky note.

•       Next, introduce the term ‘edges’. Look at, point to and count the edges together; mark each edge with a white board marker as you count and record the number of edges on a sticky note.

•       Recap the properties of a ‘cube’ and explain that the ‘properties’ are what make each shape special.

•       Repeat, working your way through all of the 3D shapes, constantly reinforcing the terms face and edge.

Here are some of our favourite ways to learn about 3D objects: -

• Place different 3D objects into a bag and have your child describe them by feel.

Encourage the use of correct terms like face, edge, curved and flat surfaces.

• Experiment to see how the different objects move. Can you roll the shape? Does it slide?
• Go on a 3D shape hunt in the environment. Real world examples can help children understand some math concepts more easily.
• Sort a collection of 2D and 3D shapes into two groups.
• Play a game of 'Guess Who?' with shapes. The children can only ask yes/no questions of each other to work out the shape.
• Create some sculptures from recycled materials then count how many different 3D shapes have been used.

Key vocabulary to use: 3D, face, edges, flat, curved, properties.

Please send us pictures of your 3D learning at home! Use the email address: focuschild@manorlodge.sheffield.sch.uk