SE 3.05Geometric Solids with Bases

1. 1

   Bring the solids and base cards to the rug and lay out the cards.

2. 2

   Hold the cube, turn it in your hands, and run one finger around the edge of a face.

3. 3

   Look over the cards, choose the square, and stand the cube on it so it covers the card exactly.

4. 4

   Continue with the cylinder, cone, pyramids, and prisms. Show that the triangular prism has two kinds of faces, so it fits two cards.

5. 5

   Turn the sphere in your hands and show that it has no flat face and no card.

6. 6

   Press the base of the cone gently into the clay, lift it straight up, and lay the circle card beside the print.

7. 7

   Invite the child to print other faces and match each print to a card.

8. 8

   Return the solids and cards, and smooth the clay for the next child.

What catches the child’s eye

• The sharp square print a cube leaves in soft clay
• The cone standing on its circle card and covering it exactly
• The sphere, which has no card because it has no flat face

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Match each solid to every card that fits one of its faces.
2. Place the cards across the room and bring the solid that fits each one.
3. Find objects in the room and say what shape their flat faces would print.
4. Sort the solids into those with flat faces only, curved surfaces only, and both.