Properties of shape - 3D shapes​ - Worksheet

In this engaging lesson on 3D shapes, students are tasked with recognising and describing three-dimensional shapes in various orientations. The National Curriculum objective is for children to identify 3D shapes and articulate their characteristics, including the number of faces, edges, vertices, and the presence of curved surfaces. To facilitate learning, a range of resources such as physical 3D shapes and differentiated worksheets are utilised. The vocabulary list includes terms like cube, cuboid, prism, pyramid, cone, cylinder, and sphere. It is important for students to understand that a curved surface is not referred to as a face; for example, a cylinder has two circular faces and one curved surface.

The lesson's structure includes a series of thought-provoking questions aimed at prompting students to explore the properties of 3D shapes, such as the number of faces, edges, vertices, and curved surfaces. Students are encouraged to observe their surroundings for real-life examples of cubes and cuboids and to guess shapes based on descriptions. Activities range from describing simple 3D shapes and identifying similarities and differences between two shapes, to more advanced tasks where children match shapes with their properties and solve true or false questions. The lesson is tiered to cater to different levels of understanding, from 'Working Towards' to 'Greater Depth', ensuring that each student is both supported and challenged in their learning journey.