Shapes...Shapes....Shapes.... 3D!

My kids love 3-D shapes even more than they love 2-D shapes! They are super excited to learn everything they can about them, so that makes my job very easy. As always, hands-on exploration is essential in order for students to develop a solid understanding of 3-D shapes. So we play and explore a lot! 

I let the kids explore 3-D shapes by building, stacking, rolling, etc. Then, together, we create an achor chart. We describe the shapes using both formal and informal language (so the kids can build on their schema) and record the information on the chart. In the beginning, the kids will call spheres "circles" and cubes "squares," but they learn the correct names very quickly. Although I introduce the vocabulary--face, base, point, edge--I do not require my kids to memorize it. We're just building that foundation. We compare the 3-D shapes to their 2-D counterparts and talk a lot about the 2-D shapes we see in the 3-D versions.

Then we think of examples in real life--and this is where the real fun begins! I challenge the kids to go home and find as many examples of 3-D shapes as they can and bring them into school. We create a Kindergarten Shape Museum! We find a very special place in the room and add to the museum as the week progresses. We talk about the objects the kids bring in--What shape is it? How do you know? What do you see?

Here are just a few examples of objects that make their way into the museum...

And a few others that don't fit...mostly triangular prisms (which the kids mistakenly think are pyramids) and eggs (what shape are eggs, anyway? Google it...it will give you a headache!)

Here is one of my favorites from this year...the kids dubbed it a "Star-angular Prism"!

After a couple of weeks, all the shapes go back home. But the kids never stop looking for 3-D shapes. They point them out all year long! 

We also do 3-D shape recording sheets for our math journals. First, the kids write about the shapes. Some kids use formal mathematical language, and other kids use everyday language. It just depends on where they are in their understanding.

 

You can download these pages here: Download 3-D Shapes

And like so many other things, we compare and contrast different shapes--2D and 3D. Not only does this reinforce concepts and vocabulary, it really promotes critical thinking.

Finally...when all the kids are familiar with all the shapes, we can get down to some problem-solving.

So check back soon to see what we do!

Comments

[Liz Mccaw]

The artefact museum created by students is a wonderful idea! My kinders love artefact displays so I already know that it will be a hit. Thanks for the idea! Liz McCaw

[mariella]

I just found your blog and I love it

[Gabrielle]

What a fun idea, I love the idea of a shape museum. I'll be adding this to our homeschool curriculum for my two boys. Thanks for sharing!

[melissa clancy]

Thanks for sharing all the downloads to the 3d shapes I love it!! Great post on 3 D Shapes

[Andi]

I love it all! Your kindergartners are writing better than some of my first graders!
We begin our geometry unit on Thursday. I am soooooo excited. We have been working on addition and subtraction with regrouping for, what it seems like, an eternity. It will be nice to move on and your ideas are perfect for my class.
Thanks for sharing!!!
~Andi

[Melissa M.]

Your blog is amazing! And...so is what you are teaching your students. Well done. Just a quick note...shouldn't you be calling the "square pyramid" a "triangular prism"? I also teach kindergarten and I believe the technical name of the the shape is a triangular prism. Just wanted to check because maybe I am incorrect.

[Melissa M.]

so...you made me start to question what i was teaching and in fact you are correct and I'm so not!! Good thing we just started 3-D this year. I will need to get a new block for triangular prism...not the pyramid I was using!

[used cat parts]

What a fun concept, I really like the concept of a appearance art gallery. I'll be including this to our home school program for my two young children. Thanks for sharing!

[Ella]

This is great..wz helpin ma nephew with chool wrk abt 3D shapes nd this site helped a lot. It made workin with him easier...

[Marg]

Love the 3D Shape Museum will be using it again this year... the children love learning about 3D Shapes! Thanks for sharing!

[D]

Thank you so much for sharing! I love your ideas!

[Kai]

this is very interesting it gave me ideas for my project that i pick was to teach kindergarten shapes .... Thank you for sharing this now im not soo much confused on what should get them intertained and also learn something :D

[Angela H.]

I absolutely love your blog and the wonderful ideas you present. You provide a wonderful way to challenge all students! I am thoroughly enjoying using your Math Journals (Texas version) and am wondering if you plan to continue selling the journals for the next 9 weeks. I hope you do as my kids love them!

[Lulu]

Ok la