A 3D shape that has two opposite, identical polygon faces, joined by rectangular faces.

A 3D shape that has a base and an apex at the opposite end to the base, joined by triangular faces.

Describe and name 3d shapes – prisms and pyramids

Maths

In this unit pupils will learn that polygons can be described, sorted, compared and named according to the number of sides and vertices. They will describe 3D shapes finding different ways to sort and compare them. In the future unit pupils will investigate different ways to compose and decompose a polygon. They will investigate quadrilaterals with and without parallel and perpendicular sides. 

In the prior unit pupils composed, copied, extended and developed repeating and radiating patterns. They explored, discussed, and compared 3D and 2D shapes. In this unit pupils will learn that polygons can be described, sorted, compared and named according to the number of sides and vertices. They will describe 3D shapes, finding different ways to sort and compare them.

Shape: discuss and compare 2D and 3D shapes

What is the same about these two pyramids?

They each have two opposite faces that are identical.

They each have two opposite faces that are joined by rectangular faces.

Each of these shapes is a prism. What is the same for all prisms?

has some triangular faces that meet at an apex

has two opposite, identical polygon faces

Match the properties to the correct 3D shape name.

Match the 3D shapes to their descriptions.

Match the parts of the sentences together correctly.

6 rectangular faces, 8 vertices and 12 edges

two circular faces, no vertices and no edges

Which of these properties describes a cube?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Describe and name 3d shapes – prisms and pyramids

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.