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...
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...
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...
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
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.
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...
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.
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
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...
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
Making and Describing Shapes
Explore the concept of creating and describing 2D and 3D shapes. Using geometry your scholars will describe the attributes of shapes and their properties. They explore and discover what happens when you combine shapes and then take...
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 learners. This comprehensive Common Core lesson plan starts with writing and graphing linear equations to define a bounded...
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
Castles On The Ground (2D & 3D Shapes)
Explore the relationship between 2D and 3D shapes by having your class view representation of shapes and investigate their symmetry. They will create a solid object from diagrams and describe the reflection or rotational symmetry. In the...
Curated OER
Flat Shapes in Three Dimension
Students explore sculpture. In this lesson plan about finding sculpture ideas in movement and rhythm, students make 3-dimensional shapes. Students create a sculpture paying attention to balance, rhythm and repetition. Students will...
Learner
Solid Shapes
A collection of two lessons, kindergartners will identify two-dimensional shapes in solid shapes. They will develop basic knowledge of the components that make up a sphere, rectangular prism, pyramid, cylinder, cone, and cube. Young...
Curated OER
Getting Into Shapes: Identifying and Describing Two-Dimensional Shapes
Young scholars examine their classroom to find examples of various types of shapes. After identifying and describing the various shapes, they draw as many as they can on a piece of paper. They organize them into an image based on their...
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.
Curated OER
How many edges do I need to cut in order to open a cube?
Learners problem solve to open a cube to create different shapes. In this problem solving lesson plan, students are given a cube and the shapes to open it up to, and they have to cut the cube open to make certain shapes. This gives them...
Curated OER
It's a 3-D World Out There!
Students construct polygons. They identify attributes of three-dimensional shapes. Students name common three-dimensional shapes. They draw three-dimensional shapes, and sort three-dimensional shapes. Students use K'NEX materials sets to...
Curated OER
Polyhedra: Faces, Edges, and Vertices (3-D Marshmallow Models)
Third graders explore the attributes of 3-dimensional shapes. In this shapes lesson, 3rd graders examine faces, edges, and vertices of 3-dimensional shapes as they construct shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Representing 3-D Objects in 2-D
How does the shape of the surface of water in a container change as water leaks out? After tackling this question, learners take part in a similar activity with more complex figures.