Mathematics / Year 3 / Measurement and Geometry / Shape

Curriculum content descriptions

Make models of three-dimensional objects and describe key features (ACMMG063)

Elaborations
  • exploring the creation of three-dimensional objects using origami, including prisms and pyramids
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Solids (Geometry)

Interactive

Face painter: finding faces 1

Identify polygons on a range of prisms and polyhedra such as a cube, square pyramid or triangular prism. Picture in your head all sides of a solid. Estimate how many faces the object has. Rotate it to see all of its faces. Paint each face of a given shape such as a triangle or rectangle.

Video

Exploring mysterious shapes

Join QuanQuan and Jenny as they explore some weird and wonderful shapes! While watching this clip, think about the sides, edges, surfaces and volumes of the shapes that are demonstrated. How are these shapes different from regular 2D and 3D forms?

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 13: Shapes glorious shapes

Did you know that not all pyramids have a square base? Investigate the bases and faces of some pyramids. Travel around the world as we view some famous structures. First stop, we're in search of a building that is a rectangular prism. Find out which world famous building is a pentagonal prism. See what type of 3 dimensional ...

Interactive

Solids

An interactive tutorial about types of solids and the components of simple solids.

Text

Skeleton Shapes

This resource is a web page containing a practical task to model 3-D objects. The task suggests the use of straws and modelling clay or similar material to create a model of firstly a cube and next other 3-D objects. A printable resource is also available to support the task. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

Interactive

How does your garden grow?

This Stage 2 resource grew from a conversation between young students questioning why they could still buy grapes if they were out of season. This wondering led to a discussion around when we grow certain fruit and vegetables. The original stimulus was extended to cover planting for the seasons and factors that influence ...

Downloadable

First steps in Mathematics: Space – Diagnostic tasks

A collection of diagnostic tasks designed to use with students to assess their understanding of space-related concepts in mathematics.

Downloadable

Geometry: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of geometric reasoning. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in geometry including teaching and cultural implications.

Text

Pattern Blocks - Calculate

This activity uses pattern blocks to explore patterns and the relationship between numbers. Students use the blocks to create and describe other shapes and since the blocks are relational they can be used for other investigations. For example, turn the blocks into units – if the triangle is one what is the value of the hexagon?

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Space

This guide supports teachers to develop students’ geometric understandings.

Downloadable

Categorisation

Use this task to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of properties of shapes, and language they use when describing common features.

Text

Guess My Shape or Object - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to encourage and support students to describe two dimensional shapes and three dimensional objects according to their features or properties.

Text

Introduction to Shapes Year 2 - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover the language that students are using to describe the features of shapes. Although students may know the names of many shapes, and may know the difference between a square and a circle, the description of why these shapes are different may not be mathematically accurate. Listen to ...

Video

What is a fractal?

Do you know what a fractal is? Basically, fractals are never-ending patterns created by repeated mathematical equations. In this clip, Yuliya, a student at MIT (in the USA) describes the properties of fractals and shows you where they can be found in technology and nature. Have a good look at the world around you and see ...

Interactive

Rotations of two-dimensional objects

This is a four-page HTML resource about solving problems concerning quarter turns of two-dimensional objects. It contains four questions, one of which is interactive, and one video. The resource discusses and explains quarter turns to reinforce students' understanding.

Interactive

Rainforest: use compass points

Use compass points and a scale to find places on a map. Understand abbreviations such as N, W, SW and E. Follow instructions to find four locations. As you go, look up the meaning of tricky words.

Video

For the Juniors: Measure ingredients to make a cake

Sarah is following a recipe. There are some different units of measure used in the recipe. Watch the video to see what these measurement words are. How much of each ingredient is needed? How are the ingredients combined to make the cake?

Video

For the Juniors: Drawing a floor plan

How do we know what a house will look like before it is built? Discover how house plans work by looking at the design of a house that Hugo's family is going to build. See how a floor plan shows the room layout. See drawings of what the house will look like from different views.

Video

Fun with fractals

Do you know how to recognise a fractal? Watch this video to find out! What are the examples given of fractals found in nature? Can you think of any others? Why not have a go at doing your own drawing of the Sierpinski Triangle?

Video

Graphing

Graphs can be used to illustrate the relationship between two variables. Watch this fun animation from NASA to learn the basics of graphing.