Recognizing 3-Dimensional Shapes

Three-dimensional shapes are all around us; expose young geometers to this concept as they focus on identifying four figures: cube, prism, sphere, and pyramid. Learners begin by matching four objects to the shape each resembles (i.e. a soccer ball is a sphere). Next, they examine a figure made of these shapes and count the number of cubes, prisms, spheres, and pyramids (one is done for them) that make up the figure. Finally, pupils conduct a similar counting exercise with everyday objects. How many spheres are there? How many prisms? Extend this by challenging kids to find three-dimensional shapes around the school.