Mathematics / Year 3 / Space

Curriculum content descriptions

make, compare and classify objects, identifying key features and explaining why these features make them suited to their uses (AC9M3SP01)

Elaborations
  • classifying a collection of geometric objects, including cylinders, spheres, prisms and pyramids according to key features such as the shape and number of faces and/or surfaces, edges and vertices
  • making and comparing objects built out of cubic blocks and discussing key features; for example, comparing the amount of space objects occupy by counting how many blocks it takes to build different rectangular prisms that have the same height but different bases
  • making geometric objects in solid form out of connecting cubes, in skeleton form with straws, and constructing objects using dynamic geometric software, recognising, comparing and discussing the features of the objects using the different representations
  • using familiar shapes and objects to build or construct models and compare the suitability of different shapes and objects for aspects of the model; for example, building rectangular towers out of connecting cubes and recognising that the taller the tower, the less stable it becomes unless the base is increased; building bridges out of straws bent into different shapes and comparing the strength of different designs
  • identifying, classifying and comparing common objects found on Country/Place as cubes, rectangular prisms, cylinders, cones and spheres
  • investigating and explaining how First Nations Australians’ dwellings are oriented in the environment to accommodate climatic conditions
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
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.

Interactive

Sites2See: Space and Geometry for Primary

Selected links to online resources that can support the teaching and learning of geometry for primary-aged students.

Interactive

Solids

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

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?

Online

reSolve: Reasoning With 3D Objects

This sequence of lessons explores symmetry and three dimensional objects. Students interpret and represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions and apply their knowledge of transformations to show congruency or difference between objects. The lessons are outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, ...

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Online

Shapes and objects: Year 3 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 3 is for the topic of Shapes and objects. Students identify and describe 3D objects and their geometric properties. Students develop their understanding of an object’s properties by creating models using a variety of materials. They explore common objects in the environment and explain the ...

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 ...

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.

Interactive

Rainforest: use a grid map

Use grid references to find places on a map. Follow instructions to find four locations. As you go, look up the meaning of tricky words.

Online

Taronga Zoo - Wild Australia: iPad app

This iPad app is designed for Stage 2 students to use while on excursion in the Wild Australia area in Taronga Zoo Sydney and at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. Students create a field report from observations and can email and review their editable summary poster for further study back at school. The app has intuitive ...

Interactive

Cassowary sanctuary

Help a park ranger to arrange fencing in a wildlife sanctuary. Divide common geometric shapes into equal-sized sections for keeping cassowaries. Group the enclosures to form a quarantine zone for sick and injured birds. Then express divisions of the enclosures as fractions. Work through facts about the life of cassowaries: ...

Text

Making maths: Rangoli designs

This resource is a web page containing an activity about symmetrical patterns that are used to decorate traditional Indian clothing and architecture. The patterns contain line and/or rotational symmetry. Students can examine the patterns and identify the type of symmetry present in each one. This resource is one of a series ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Patterns and Algebra

Selected links to a range of interactive online resources for the study of patterns and algebra in Foundation to Year 6 Mathematics.