Math Expressions Kindergarten, Unit 5: 3D Shapes and Spatial Reasoning
In this unit, your child names flat and solid shapes; describes where things are with words like above, below, in front of, and behind; and compares shapes by their sides, corners, and faces. After a unit of adding and subtracting, this one turns to space and shape before the year ends with measurement.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 5?
- Describing where objects are with position words, such as the ball is below the table and beside the chair. Learn more: Spotting shapes and saying where things are
- Naming shapes correctly whatever their size or direction, such as a square tilted on its corner. Learn more: Naming shapes turned any which way
- Telling two-dimensional (flat) shapes from three-dimensional (solid) shapes, like a cube, cylinder, cone, or sphere. Learn more: Telling flat shapes from solid shapes
- Comparing shapes by their parts, such as noticing a cube has 6 flat faces and a sphere has none. 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 shape is a slice of pizza?
- Triangle
- Circle
- Square
How you can help
- Play a position-word game with a stuffed animal: put it above, below, in front of, or behind a chair, and have your child say where it is.
- Collect a cereal box, a can, and an orange from the kitchen. Ask which can roll, which can stack, and how many flat faces each one has.
- Draw a square, then turn the paper so the square sits on a corner. Ask whether it is still a square, and count its sides together.
Where kids can get stuck
- Describing position only from their own side, not seeing that in front from one side is behind from the other.
- Insisting a tilted square is no longer a square, because it now looks like a diamond.
- Calling a ball a circle, naming the flat shape it looks like from one side.
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
- above
- Higher than something else.
- below
- Lower than something else.
- in front of
- At the front of something, on the side it faces.
- behind
- At the back of something.
- flat
- A shape you can draw on paper, like a square or circle.
- solid
- A shape you can hold, like a ball, box, or can.
- cube
- A solid shape with 6 square faces, like a toy block.
- cylinder
- A solid shape like a can, with two round flat ends.
- face
- A flat side of a solid shape.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with solid shapes and position?
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 Math Expressions Kindergarten Unit 5 cover?
Math Expressions Kindergarten Unit 5 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.