New
New
Describe and name 3d shapes – prisms and pyramids
I can recognise and name pyramids and prisms and describe their properties.
Lesson 8 of 10
New
New
- Year 2
Describe and name 3d shapes – prisms and pyramids
I can recognise and name pyramids and prisms and describe their properties.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A prism is a 3D shape that has identical opposite polygon faces at each end which are joined by rectangular faces.
- A pyramid is a 3D shape that has a base and an apex at the opposite end to the base.
- A prism always has two opposite, identical polygon faces. A prism can be named after its identical polygon faces.
- A pyramid has a polygon as its base, which is the face opposite the apex. A pyramid can be named after its base.
Keywords
Prism - A 3D shape that has two opposite, identical polygon faces, joined by rectangular faces.
Pyramid - A 3D shape that has a base and an apex at the opposite end to the base, joined by triangular faces.
Common misconception
Children may find it difficult to name the shape of the faces that cannot be seen in drawings of 3D shapes.
Provide 3D shapes for children to handle alongside the drawings. Encourage them to visualise the shape rotating to help them identify and describe each face of the shape.
Provide opportunities for children to compare two pyramids or prisms by talking about what is the same and what is different.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the 3D shapes to their descriptions.
Match the 3D shapes to their descriptions.
Q2.Label the parts of these 3D shapes.
Label the parts of these 3D shapes.
Q3.Match the parts of the sentences together correctly.
Match the parts of the sentences together correctly.
Q4.Match the 3D shapes to their names.
Match the 3D shapes to their names.
Q5.Match the 3D shapes to their properties.
Match the 3D shapes to their properties.
Q6.Which of these properties describes a cube?
Which of these properties describes a cube?
3 square faces
7 vertices
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the same about these two pyramids?
What is the same about these two pyramids?
Both have a square face.
Q2.Label the parts of these 3D shapes.
Label the parts of these 3D shapes.
Q3.Match each pyramid to its name.
Match each pyramid to its name.
Q4.Each of these shapes is a prism. What is the same for all prisms?
Each of these shapes is a prism. What is the same for all prisms?
They each have an apex.
Q5.Which of the shapes are prisms?
Which of the shapes are prisms?
Q6.Match the properties to the correct 3D shape name.
Match the properties to the correct 3D shape name.
