Three-Dimensional Shapes - First Grade
1. Two-Dimensional vs Three-Dimensional Shapes
Concept: Learn the difference between flat 2D shapes and solid 3D shapes.
📄 2D Shapes
2D = Two Dimensions
• Flat (like a piece of paper)
• Only Length and Width
• Can draw on paper
• No thickness
Examples: Circle, Square, Triangle, Rectangle
📦 3D Shapes
3D = Three Dimensions
• Solid (you can hold them)
• Length, Width, AND Height
• Take up space
• Have thickness/depth
Examples: Sphere, Cube, Cylinder, Cone
💡 Tip: If you can pick it up and hold it, it's 3D! If it's just drawn on paper, it's 2D!
2. Name the Three-Dimensional Shape
Concept: Learn the names and characteristics of common 3D shapes (also called solid shapes).
Common 3D Shapes:
Sphere
Round like a ball
All curved surface
Cube
Like a dice or box
6 square faces
Cylinder
Like a can or tube
2 circular faces
Cone
Ice cream cone shape
1 circular face, 1 vertex
Pyramid
Triangular sides
Square or triangle base
Rectangular Prism
Like a cereal box
6 rectangular faces
💡 Tip: Look around your home - balls are spheres, dice are cubes, cans are cylinders!
3. Cubes and Rectangular Prisms
Concept: Learn the special features of cubes and rectangular prisms - two important 3D shapes!
🎲 Cube
Features:
• 6 faces (all squares)
• 12 edges (all equal length)
• 8 vertices (corners)
• All faces are the same size
Examples: Dice, Rubik's cube, sugar cube, building block
📦 Rectangular Prism
Features:
• 6 faces (all rectangles)
• 12 edges
• 8 vertices (corners)
• Faces can be different sizes
Examples: Cereal box, book, brick, shoebox
Important:
✓ A cube is a SPECIAL type of rectangular prism
✓ Both have the same number of faces, edges, and vertices
✓ The difference: ALL faces of a cube are squares and equal
💡 Tip: If all sides are the same, it's a cube. If they're different sizes, it's a rectangular prism!
4. Select Three-Dimensional Shapes
Concept: Learn to identify and choose specific 3D shapes from a group of different objects.
How to Identify 3D Shapes:
1. Look at the faces - are they flat or curved?
2. Count the number of faces
3. Check the shape of the faces (square, rectangle, circle, triangle)
4. Look for special features (points, edges, flat or curved surfaces)
Shape Identification Guide:
✓ Sphere: No faces, all curved, no edges or vertices
✓ Cube: 6 square faces, all the same size
✓ Cylinder: 2 circular faces, 1 curved surface
✓ Cone: 1 circular face, 1 curved surface, 1 pointy vertex
✓ Rectangular Prism: 6 rectangular faces
✓ Pyramid: Triangular faces meeting at a point
💡 Tip: Touch and feel objects to better understand their shapes!
5. Count Vertices, Edges and Faces
Concept: Learn what vertices, edges, and faces are, and how to count them on 3D shapes.
🔲 Faces
A face is a flat or curved surface of a 3D shape
📏 Edges
An edge is a line where two faces meet
🔺 Vertices
A vertex is a corner where edges meet (Plural: Vertices)
Counting Guide for Common 3D Shapes:
| Shape | Faces | Edges | Vertices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphere | 1 (curved) | 0 | 0 |
| Cube | 6 | 12 | 8 |
| Rectangular Prism | 6 | 12 | 8 |
| Cylinder | 3 (2 flat, 1 curved) | 2 | 0 |
| Cone | 2 (1 flat, 1 curved) | 1 | 1 |
| Square Pyramid | 5 | 8 | 5 |
💡 Tip: Hold a box and trace each face, edge, and vertex with your finger to practice counting!
6. Compare Vertices, Edges and Faces
Concept: Compare different 3D shapes to see which has more or fewer faces, edges, and vertices.
Comparison Examples:
Example 1: Cube vs Sphere
• Cube: 6 faces, 12 edges, 8 vertices
• Sphere: 1 curved face, 0 edges, 0 vertices
✓ The cube has MORE faces, edges, and vertices than the sphere!
Example 2: Cube vs Rectangular Prism
• Cube: 6 faces, 12 edges, 8 vertices
• Rectangular Prism: 6 faces, 12 edges, 8 vertices
✓ They have the SAME number of faces, edges, and vertices!
Example 3: Pyramid vs Cone
• Square Pyramid: 5 faces, 8 edges, 5 vertices
• Cone: 2 faces, 1 edge, 1 vertex
✓ The pyramid has MORE faces, edges, and vertices than the cone!
💡 Tip: Count carefully first, then use words like "more," "fewer," or "same" to compare!
7. Identify Shapes Traced from Solids
Concept: When you trace around a 3D shape's face, you get a 2D shape!
What Shape Do You Get When You Trace?
Cube → Trace = Square
All 6 faces trace into squares
Rectangular Prism → Trace = Rectangle
All 6 faces trace into rectangles (or squares)
Cylinder → Trace = Circle or Rectangle
Top/bottom trace into circles; side traces into a rectangle
Cone → Trace = Circle
The bottom face traces into a circle
Pyramid → Trace = Square or Triangle
Base traces into a square; sides trace into triangles
Sphere → Trace = Circle
Any way you trace it makes a circle
💡 Tip: Try tracing real objects like cans, boxes, and balls on paper to see what shapes you get!
8. Identify Faces of Three-Dimensional Shapes
Concept: Learn to recognize and name the different faces on 3D shapes.
Types of Faces:
Flat Faces:
• Squares (on cubes)
• Rectangles (on rectangular prisms)
• Circles (on cylinders and cones)
• Triangles (on pyramids)
Curved Faces:
• Spheres have one curved surface (not a flat face)
• Cylinders have a curved surface around the middle
• Cones have a curved surface from base to point
Face Identification:
1. Look at each side of the 3D shape
2. Ask: Is it flat or curved?
3. If flat, what 2D shape is it? (square, rectangle, circle, triangle)
4. Count how many of each type of face
💡 Tip: Touch each face of a 3D object - flat faces feel smooth and even, curved faces are rounded!
9. Shapes of Everyday Objects
Concept: Recognize 3D shapes in real-world objects around us!
Find These 3D Shapes in Your World:
🟢 Sphere Examples:
• Basketball, soccer ball, tennis ball
• Orange, grapefruit, marble
• Globe, bubble, balloon
🎲 Cube Examples:
• Dice, Rubik's cube, ice cube
• Gift box (square), building block
• Sugar cube, game cube
📦 Rectangular Prism Examples:
• Cereal box, shoebox, tissue box
• Book, brick, refrigerator
• Eraser, smartphone, door
🥫 Cylinder Examples:
• Soda can, soup can, battery
• Paper towel roll, coin, drum
• Toilet paper roll, water bottle
🍦 Cone Examples:
• Ice cream cone, traffic cone
• Party hat, funnel
• Megaphone, cone-shaped cup
🔺 Pyramid Examples:
• Egyptian pyramids, toy pyramid
• Pyramid-shaped roof, tent
• Some cheese shapes
Shape Hunt Activity:
1. Walk around your home or classroom
2. Look for objects that match each 3D shape
3. Make a list of what you find
4. Draw or take pictures of the objects
💡 Tip: 3D shapes are everywhere! Start noticing them in your daily life!
3D Shapes Complete Reference
| Shape | Faces | Edges | Vertices | Face Shapes | Real Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sphere | 1 curved | 0 | 0 | Curved surface | Ball, orange |
| Cube | 6 | 12 | 8 | 6 squares | Dice, ice cube |
| Rectangular Prism | 6 | 12 | 8 | 6 rectangles | Cereal box |
| Cylinder | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 circles, 1 curved | Soda can |
| Cone | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 circle, 1 curved | Ice cream cone |
| Square Pyramid | 5 | 8 | 5 | 1 square, 4 triangles | Egyptian pyramid |
Important 3D Shape Vocabulary
- 3D Shape: A solid shape with length, width, and height (depth)
- Face: A flat or curved surface on a 3D shape
- Edge: A line where two faces meet
- Vertex: A corner where edges meet (plural: vertices)
- Solid Shape: Another name for 3D shapes
- Flat Face: A face that is not curved (like a square or triangle)
- Curved Surface: A face that is rounded (like on a sphere or cylinder)
- Prism: A 3D shape with two identical ends and flat sides
🎯 Tips for 3D Shape Success 🎯
- ✓ Hold real objects to feel faces, edges, and vertices
- ✓ Trace faces of 3D objects to see what 2D shapes you get
- ✓ Build 3D shapes with clay, playdough, or building blocks
- ✓ Go on a shape hunt around your home or school
- ✓ Use your fingers to count faces, edges, and vertices
- ✓ Remember: 3D shapes are solid and take up space!
⭐ You're a 3D Shape Master! ⭐
Fantastic job learning about three-dimensional shapes! You can now identify them, name them, count their parts, and find them in the real world. 3D shapes are everywhere - keep exploring!