About 3D Shapes
Counting the faces, edges and vertices of a solid is harder than it sounds, because half of each shape is hidden. A child looking at a drawing of a cube can see three faces and has to reason that there are six. This game presents each shape with its properties so those numbers become facts a child knows rather than counts badly.
What this game teaches
- Naming the common three-dimensional shapes
- Counting faces, edges and vertices for each
- Distinguishing flat faces from curved surfaces
- Telling apart shapes that look similar, such as a cube and a cuboid
- The vocabulary of three-dimensional geometry
How to play
- A three-dimensional shape appears with its name.
- Its faces, edges and vertices are shown alongside it.
- Move forwards and backwards through the shapes.
- Three levels cover all seven shapes with no repeats between them.
Before you start
A child should recognise flat shapes such as squares, circles and triangles. Three-dimensional work builds directly on that.
For teachers
Physical solids beat any screen for this topic. Use the game for the vocabulary and the numbers, and a box of wooden or plastic shapes for the counting - children need to turn a shape over to believe a cube has six faces.
For parents
Find these shapes at home: a ball, a dice, a tin, a party hat. Naming real objects by their geometric shape is the step from vocabulary to understanding.
Related games
- Angle Master Laser Puzzle — Class 4-8
- Magic Mirror — Class 1-5
- Cross Addition Puzzle — Class 3-6