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Lesson 9 of 15
Lesson 9 of 15
New
New
Identify 2D shapes within 3D shapes
I can describe the individual faces on 3D shapes.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Recognise and know the difference between flat faces and curved surfaces.
- Know that when a shape is lying on a curved surface it will roll.
- Know that when a shape is lying on a flat face it will slide.
- Know that 3D shapes can have different shaped faces. For example, cones and cylinders have some circular faces.
Keywords
Curved surface - A rounded surface that is not flat.
Face - Any of the flat surfaces of an object.
Square face - The flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a square with four sides that are equal in length.
Rectangular face - The flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a rectangle with four sides.
Circular face - The flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a circle with one curved line.
Common misconception
May think that a sphere has a circular face because when drawn, a sphere looks like a circle.
Physically handle and compare spheres, cylinders and cones. Explore why a sphere cannot stand but a cylinder and a cone can.
It is really important to have a range of 3D shapes ready before teaching this lesson. The teacher will need them to demonstrate throughout the lesson, and the children will hugely benefit from the opportunity to explore 3D shapes too.
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.Which of these shapes is a cube?
Which of these shapes is a cube?
Q2.Which of these is a triangle?
Which of these is a triangle?
B
C
Q3.How many rectangles can you see?
How many rectangles can you see?
1
2
3
Q4.Which of these 3D shapes will stack?
Which of these 3D shapes will stack?
Q5.Jun was asked to make a tower using just cuboids. He has made a mistake. Can you spot the incorrect shape?
Jun was asked to make a tower using just cuboids. He has made a mistake. Can you spot the incorrect shape?
A pyramid
A cone
Q6.Izzy has sorted her shapes into two groups. The name of one of the groups is missing. What is it?
Izzy has sorted her shapes into two groups. The name of one of the groups is missing. What is it?
cubes
pyramids
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these shapes does NOT have a curved surface?
Which of these shapes does NOT have a curved surface?
Q2.Complete the sentence. A pyramid will slide because it has ..................... faces.
Complete the sentence. A pyramid will slide because it has ..................... faces.
curved
triangle shape
Q3.True or False? This shape will slide down the ramp.
True or False? This shape will slide down the ramp.
True
Q4.Jun has sorted the shapes into those that roll and those that slide. Which shape is in the wrong place?
Jun has sorted the shapes into those that roll and those that slide. Which shape is in the wrong place?
pyramid
sphere
Q5.Laura has drawn around one of the faces of her 3D shape. Which 3D shapes could it have been?
Laura has drawn around one of the faces of her 3D shape. Which 3D shapes could it have been?
cube
Q6.
cone
pyramid