Properties of shape - Count vertices on 3D shapes - Presentation

In a series of engaging and interactive teaching slides, students delve into the geometric concept of vertices on three-dimensional shapes. The lesson aims to enhance students' understanding of 3D shapes by focusing on the task of counting vertices. A vertex, the singular form of vertices, is a point where edges meet on a 3D shape. The lesson encourages students to physically identify these points on the shapes provided, ensuring a hands-on learning experience. Through a series of activities, students explore various 3D shapes, such as cubes, cuboids, and cones, to count and compare the number of vertices each one has. They are prompted to discuss the difference between a single vertex and multiple vertices, and strategies to avoid counting vertices more than once, which is essential for accuracy.

Further activities include completing tables that require students to record the number of faces, edges, and vertices for different shapes, reinforcing their knowledge of 3D geometry. The lesson also prompts critical thinking through reasoning questions, such as whether all 3D shapes have at least one vertex, to which students learn that a sphere, for instance, has none. Additionally, students are challenged to sequence shapes based on the number of vertices and to consider how many edges converge to form a single vertex. Independent work tasks consolidate the learning objectives, asking students to identify unknown shapes based on their properties and to verify their answers with logical explanations. The lesson concludes with a discussion that revisits key concepts and ensures students understand the nuances of vertices in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional contexts.