Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 6: 3D Shapes & Numbers to Twenty
In this unit, your child moves from flat shapes to solid ones and from small numbers to the teens. Kindergartners name cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres, notice which roll, stack, or slide, and learn that 11 to 19 are a ten and some more, so 14 is 10 and 4. It follows the flat-shapes unit and leads into measuring how heavy things are and how much they hold.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 6?
- Building teen numbers as ten ones and some more ones, such as 14 = 10 + 4, using objects and drawings. Learn more: Teen numbers as ten and some more
- Telling solid shapes, which they can hold, from flat shapes, which lie on paper, and using the names three-dimensional and two-dimensional. Learn more: Telling flat shapes from solid shapes
- Comparing cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres by their faces, the flat surfaces, and by whether they roll, stack, or slide. Learn more: Comparing shapes by their sides and corners
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
What do 10 and 1 make?
- 10
- 11
- 12
How you can help
- Count out 10 spoons in one group and a few more beside it, such as 4, then ask your child how many in all and how they could say it as 10 and 4.
- Gather a ball, a can, a box, and a party hat, and test together which ones roll, which ones stack, and which ones slide.
- Point out solid shapes on a walk or ride, like a ball, a traffic cone, or a box-shaped building, and ask your child to name each shape.
Where kids can get stuck
- Thinking the 1 in 16 stands for one object, so they show 16 with 1 block and 6 blocks.
- Calling a can a circle because they see its round end, instead of naming the solid shape, a cylinder.
- Losing count while making the group of ten, so the ten ends up holding 9 or 11 things.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- teen numbers
- The numbers 11 to 19, each made of ten and some more ones.
- ten ones
- Ten single things, which together make one ten.
- solid shape
- A shape you can hold, like a ball or a box.
- cube
- A solid shape with 6 square faces, like a block.
- cone
- A solid shape with a round, flat bottom and a point at the top.
- cylinder
- A solid shape with two round, flat ends, like a can.
- sphere
- A solid shape that is perfectly round, like a ball.
- face
- A flat surface on a solid shape, like each side of a box.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with teen numbers and solid shapes?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 6 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 6 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.