Reveal Math Kindergarten, Unit 11: 3D Shapes
In this unit, your child names solid shapes, like cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres, and tells them apart from flat shapes. They compare shapes by their faces and corners, build and draw shapes, and join shapes to make new ones. It builds on the flat shapes from the last unit and comes before measurement and data.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 11?
- Spotting solid shapes in the world, like a ball or a can, and describing where they are with position words. Learn more: Spotting shapes and saying where things are
- Telling solid shapes, which are three-dimensional, from flat shapes, which are two-dimensional, and naming each kind. Learn more: Telling flat shapes from solid shapes
- Comparing solid shapes by their faces and corners, such as a cube with 6 flat faces and a sphere with none. Learn more: Comparing shapes by their sides and corners
- Building shapes from straws and clay, and drawing shapes they see with straight sides and closed corners. Learn more: Building and drawing shapes
- Putting shapes together to make bigger shapes, such as joining two squares side by side to make a rectangle. Learn more: Putting shapes together to make new shapes
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
- Build with toy blocks of different shapes. Ask which shapes stack, which roll, and which can do both, like a cylinder.
- Name solid shapes on a walk: a ball is a sphere, a traffic cone is a cone, and many trash cans are cylinders. Say where each one is: beside, behind, or in front of you.
- Make a square and a triangle from straws and play dough, then join them to build a house shape. Count the corners together as you go.
Where kids can get stuck
- Calling a cube a square, naming one face instead of the whole solid shape.
- Sorting shapes by color or size, instead of by whether they are flat or solid.
- Joining two shapes so they touch only at a corner, which leaves a gap instead of a new shape.
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
- solid
- A shape you can hold, like a ball, box, or can.
- flat
- A shape you can draw on paper, like a square or circle.
- cube
- A solid shape with 6 square faces, like a toy block.
- cone
- A solid shape with a round flat bottom and a point at the top.
- cylinder
- A solid shape like a can, with two round flat ends.
- sphere
- A solid shape that is round like a ball.
- face
- A flat side of a solid shape.
- corner
- A point where two sides of a shape meet.
- join
- To put shapes side by side so they make a new shape.
Want to help your child master 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 Reveal Math Kindergarten Unit 11 cover?
Reveal Math Kindergarten Unit 11 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.