3D Shapes & Attributes Hands-On Math Centers

This 3D shape or solid shape resource is filled with hands-on math centers perfect for primary students. These activities go beyond simple shape recognition and ask students to think deeply about attributes as they categorize 3D shapes and identify real-life examples of them.

Shapes included are cubes, spheres, rectangular prisms, cones, pyramids, cylinders, and triangular prisms. Vocabulary includes faces, edges, vertices, and bases.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• 3D Shape Puzzles: Completing these 3-piece shape puzzles, students will match shape names, pictures, and definitions. Make these self-checking by placing a matching small colored dot or sticker on the back of each piece before laminating.

• 3D Shape Clip-It Cards: Students will look at the shape name in the center of the card and use clothespins to pin examples of the shape located around the card’s edges. These can also be made self-checking by placing a small dot or sticker on the back of the card behind the correct answers before laminating.

• Build, Name, and Explain 3D Playdough Shape Task Cards: Students use playdough, and toothpicks where necessary, to build the 3D shapes depicted on task cards. On the recording sheet, students name the shape and use their model to determine the number of faces, edges, and vertices.

• 3D Shape Sort-It Cut and Pastes: Students cut out 3D objects at the bottom of the page and paste them into corresponding shape name categories. Two sorts are provided.

• Compare Those 3D Shapes Cut and Pastes: Students compare 3D shapes by cutting and pasting provided attributes into Venn diagrams.

Teachers Like You Said...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely satisfied

"We used the puzzle pieces and the building 3D shapes cards in table groups. My students had fun and were engaged the whole time. " - Julia L., Second Grade Teacher

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely satisfied

"Best and creative way to practice geometry! The kids had a blast!" - Cherelle M.

These activities address the following Common Core Standards:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.2: Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1: Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces.1 Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes. 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.G.A.1: Understand that shapes in different categories (e.g., rhombuses, rectangles, and others) may share attributes (e.g., having four sides), and that the shared attributes can define a larger category (e.g., quadrilaterals). Recognize rhombuses, rectangles, and squares as examples of quadrilaterals, and draw examples of quadrilaterals that do not belong to any of these subcategories.

This resource is also included in my Shapes & Attributes Math Center Bundle. Purchase two resources together and save!

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Thank you,

Amanda Taylor @ Second Grade Smiles