Lesson 10

Identify and Describe Solid Shapes

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to identify and describe solid shapes.

Lesson Narrative

In previous lessons, students learned the difference between flat and solid shapes and compared the weight or capacity of objects. In this lesson, students are introduced to the names for cubes, cones, spheres, and cylinders as they build shapes out of clay. While the mathematical names are introduced in this lesson, students are not expected to use the names of solid shapes. Students continue to use their own language to describe the attributes and parts of solid shapes.

  • Action and Expression
  • MLR8

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Use their own language to describe solid shapes.

Student Facing

  • Let’s make and describe solid shapes.

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Materials to Copy

  • Examples of Flat Shapes Display Cards

Required Preparation

Activity 1:

  • Each group of 2 students needs solid shapes and a set of Flat Shapes Cards from a previous lesson.
  • Gather a ball, a can, a number cube, and an ice cream cone and cut out 1 set of Examples of Flat Shapes cards to display.

Activity 2:

  • Each group of 2 students needs 4–6 different solid shapes.

Activity 3:

  • Gather materials from: 
    • Geoblocks, Stages 1-3
    • Counting Collections, Stage 1
    • Match Mine, Stage 1
    • Shake and Spill, Stages 1-4

CCSS Standards

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 20 min
Activity 2 10 min
Activity 3 15 min
Lesson Synthesis 5 min
Cool-down 0 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

As students worked with their partners today, whose ideas were heard, valued, and accepted? How can you adjust the group structure tomorrow to ensure each student’s ideas are part of the collective learning?

Print Formatted Materials

Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.

Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
Teacher Guide Log In
Teacher Presentation Materials pdf docx
Blackline Masters zip

Additional Resources

Google Slides Log In
PowerPoint Slides Log In