Recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes
I can recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes.
Recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes
I can recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Understand how to sort shapes into 2 sets using the criteria 'has' and 'has no'.
- Cuboids have rectangular faces and cubes have square faces.
- Cylinders and cones both have some circular faces.
- Pyramids always have some triangular face and may have a different shape face as a base.
Keywords
Face - Any of the flat surfaces of an object.
Circular face - A flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a circle with one curved line.
Square face - A flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a square with four equal sides.
Rectangular face - A flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a rectangle with four sides.
Triangular face - A flat surface of a 3D shape that is shaped like a triangle with three sides.
Common misconception
Children might begin to confuse 2D and 3D. For example, describe a cube as a square.
Use geometric construction materials to explore the 2D shapes within 3D shapes. Look for familiar 3D shapes in the environment and discuss.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Recognise, describe and sort 3D shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Recognise, compose, decompose and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

















Exit quiz
6 Questions
















