Illustrative Mathematics
3-D Shape Sort
From the apple on your desk and the coffee cup in your hand, to the cabinets along the classroom wall, basic three-dimensional shapes are found everywhere in the world around us. Introduce young mathematicians to the these common figures...
World Wildlife Fund
Shapes
Investigate the properties of three-dimensional figures with this Arctic-themed math lesson. Beginning with a class discussion about different types of solid figures present in the classroom, young mathematicians are then given a...
Curated OER
Can You Name That Shape?
Learners use materials to build, investigate, and draw two-dimensional shapes (polygons). They combine the shapes they have built and draw from the pile to begin a round-robin activity to name and determine the attributes of a selection...
Curated OER
Classifying Three-Dimensional Shapes
Compare geometric solids based on their properties. Your emergent geometers use spaghetti and marshmallows to build models so they can examine the number of faces, edges, and vertices on polyhedra of their own creation. Resource includes...
Curated OER
Living in a Geometrical World
Learners participate in a series of hand-on, online, and multimedia activities to examine 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes. They describe common geometric solids. They construct rectangular prisms using straws and ribbon.
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Geo Shapes
Invite your first graders to compose and decompose two and three-dimensional figures with this fun, hands-on instructional activity. They investigate and predict the results of putting together and taking apart two-dimensional shapes...
Curated OER
3 dimensional shapes
Students play a bingo game to classify 3 dimensional shapes. In this 3 dimensional shapes lesson plan, students identify, describe, and classify shapes by playing a bingo game.
Curated OER
Identifying 2-D and 3-D Shapes in Crystals
Learners view a video on making rock candy and identify the shapes they see while watching. In this 2 and 3 dimensional shape instructional activity, students recognize shapes and complete worksheets to identify them. Learners build a...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Shapes Around Us
Learners use manipulatives to study shapes. They sort shapes and use correct geometric terminology to describe them. Students find real-life examples of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes, and classify figures in their classroom according to...
Curated OER
Great Shapes Alive!
Compare two- and three-dimensional shapes and construct three dimensional models from two-dimensional shapes. Diagram the shapes and reflect about the process in writing.
Curated OER
Shapes
Fifth graders explore shapes. They recognize and name two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Pupils discuss the properties and criteria for each shape they find in real life and construct a Kid Pix project using pictures of the...
Curated OER
Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Shapes
First graders explore 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. In this geometry instructional activity, 1st graders examine the attributes of 2 -dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. They also create the shapes as they build models. This...
Exploratorium
Building Three-Dimensional Structures
Are you looking for a good 3-D geometry instructional activity that includes hands-on activities for your middle schoolers? Look no further than this one! Pupils use centimeter grid paper embedded in the plan, along with detailed...
Curated OER
Geometry Vases: Ceramics Lesson
Geometric shapes are used in math and in art. Learners discuss the various names, dimensions, and attributes of geometric shapes, then apply that knowledge to design a vase. They use 3-D shapes to make a cubist-style vase out of clay.
Shodor Education Foundation
Cross Sections
Use this activity on cross-sections of three-dimensional shapes in your math class to work on algebra or geometry Common Core standards. The lesson includes a list of relevent terminology, and a step-by-step process to illustrate the...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Create three dimensional objects in an applied science instructional activity. The goal is for your class to recognize, compare, and model shapes. Using cookie cutters and clay or play dough, they create models for three-dimensional shapes.
Curated OER
2: Isle of Shapes - Based on the Puerto Rico Quarter Reverse
Students identify both two and three-dimensional shapes. In this geometric shapes lesson, students listen to a teacher led lesson about the island of Puerto Rico. They look at the symbols and shapes on "Puerto Rico Quarter Reverse" on a...
National Math + Science Initative
Using Linear Equations to Define Geometric Solids
Making the transition from two-dimensional shapes to three-dimensional solids can be difficult for many geometry high schoolers. This comprehensive Common Core lesson plan starts with writing and graphing linear equations to define a...
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Insides and Outsides
Give small groups handfuls of unit cubes and then dare them to build as many rectangular prisms as possible using only 12 cubes. This engaging activity serves as an introduction to the volume of solid figures. In addition to volume,...
Curated OER
Lesson 2: Shapes
Shapes are really neat, and here's a lesson that will help learners identify shapes through song, touch, and sight. They sing a shape song as they bounce different shapes around in a parachute. They then read a story and feel each shape...
Curated OER
Circles 1, 2, 3, 4
Here is a way to help your charges identify circles and spheres. In this shapes geometry and technology lesson, students identify and draw circles and explain the related attributes. They recognize circles and spheres while exploring...
Curated OER
3-D Figures Part 1
Elementary schoolers explore 3-D shapes. They transition from thinking of shapes as only 2-D. Pupils read Cinderella as a launching activity for their upcoming adventure, and explore a new world of 3-D shapes in this introductory lesson.
Curated OER
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Teaching Shapes
Students identify two- and three-dimensional figures and associate them with real-world objects. In this geometry lesson, students are read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and complete several activities including a chart of...
Curated OER
Lesson: All in a Name
Lao Tzu was the fabled author of the Toa te Ching, Lau Tzu is also the name of a large sculptural piece. Kids examine Mark di Suvero's larger-than-life sculptures in relation to the elements of art they've learner about. They examine...