Lesson 98: Naming 3D shapes

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Shapes and Measurement

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Objective

I can name common 3D shapes such as cube, sphere, cone, and cylinder. I can find these shapes in real-life objects and describe them using simple shape words.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What are 3D shapes?

A 3D shape is a shape you can hold. It is not flat. It takes up space and has sides and sometimes corners.

Important shape words

  • Face: a flat surface you can touch.
  • Edge: where two faces meet.
  • Corner: where edges meet.

Common 3D shapes in this lesson

  • Cube — like a dice or a small box.
  • Sphere — like a ball.
  • Cone — like an ice cream cone.
  • Cylinder — like a can or a tube.

How they move

  • A sphere can roll.
  • A cube can slide on its flat faces.
  • A cylinder can sometimes roll and slide.

Pictures of 3D shapes

  • A drawing can show a 3D shape by adding lines and corners.
  • We still use the same name as the real object.

In this lesson, we will say the name of each 3D shape, match it to real objects, and talk about how it looks and moves.

Picture strip: 3D shapes and real-life items

3D shapes

Cone and cylinder

Guided Practice — Match objects to 3D shapes

You will look at real objects and decide which 3D shape they are. Then you will use the tracing pad to practise the shape names.

  1. Collect objects: Put a small box, a ball, a can, and a pretend ice cream cone (or pictures) on the table.
  2. Say the shape: Point to one object and ask, "What 3D shape is this?" For example, the box is a cube or a rectangular prism.
  3. Describe it: Ask simple questions like, "Can it roll?" or "Does it have flat faces?" Use words such as face, edge, and corner if it helps.
  4. Match each object: Match the ball to sphere, the ice cream cone to cone, and the can to cylinder.
  5. Draw quick sketches: In your notebook, draw a quick picture of each object and write the 3D shape name under it.
  6. Use the tracing pad: Choose one or two shape words, such as cube or sphere, from the dropdown and trace them slowly. Say the word as you trace.
  7. Add a tiny picture: Next to each traced word, draw a tiny sketch of the matching shape (a little box, a ball, a cone, or a can).
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: After you trace the shape words, write one sentence, such as "A sphere can roll." or "A cube has flat faces."

Practice 1 — Sort and name 3D shapes

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 1]

Practice 2 — Match objects to 3D shapes

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 2]

Practice 3 — Describe 3D shapes

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 3]

Quick Check — Naming 3D shapes

Answer each question about 3D shapes. You may look at real objects or simple shape drawings to help you.

1) What makes a shape a 3D shape?

A 3D shape is solid and takes up space, not just flat on the page.

2) Which shape is a cube like?

A dice is shaped like a cube.

3) Which 3D shape looks like a ball?

A ball is a sphere.

4) An ice cream cone is shaped like a…

The pointy ice cream cone is a cone shape.

5) A can of soup is shaped like a…

Cans are cylinders with two flat round ends.

6) Which shape can roll easily in all directions?

A sphere is round all over, so it rolls easily.

7) Which shape has flat faces and corners?

A cube has flat faces, straight edges, and sharp corners.

8) Which word means where two faces meet?

When faces meet they make an edge.

9) Which word means where edges meet?

Corners (also called vertices) are where edges meet.

10) Which real-life object is most like a cylinder?

A tube has the same shape as a cylinder.

11) Which 3D shape is made from all square faces?

A cube has six square faces.

12) A ball is a sphere. Which other object is also a sphere?

A marble is a tiny sphere.

13) Which picture would best match a cone?

A pointy party hat looks like a cone.

14) Why do we learn the names of 3D shapes?

Shape names help us describe and think about real objects.

15) You see a shape that can roll like a ball but is a can. Which name should you use?

A can is a cylinder, even though it can roll.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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