Solid Figures (3D Shapes)

Grade 4 · Mathematics

Semester 2 | Period 6 | Week 34

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Subject: Mathematics

Semester: 2

Period: 6

Week: 34


School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: Mathematics
Grade Level: Grade 4
Date: Week 34
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 34, Period 6
Topic: Solid Figures (3D Shapes)
Sub-topic: Identifying and Comparing Solid Figures

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Identify solid figures such as cube, cuboid, sphere, cone, and cylinder.
  2. Relate solid figures to real-life objects.
  3. Compare faces, edges, and vertices of solid figures.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know flat shapes such as rectangles, squares, and circles.

Instructional Materials
Mathematics textbook for Grade 4, clay, cardboard, solid models, classroom objects.

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Teacher shows a ball and asks: “What shape is this?”

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

🧠 Key Definition

Solid figures (also called 3D shapes) are shapes that have three dimensions:

  • Length,
  • Breadth (width), and
  • Height (or depth).

These shapes occupy space and have volume. Unlike flat (2D) shapes, solid figures can be held, rotated, and touched from different sides.

 

🔸 Common Solid Figures and Their Properties

Solid Figure

Properties

Real-World Example

Cube

6 square faces, 12 edges, 8 vertices. All edges are equal.

Dice, Rubik’s Cube

Cuboid

6 rectangular faces, 12 edges, 8 vertices. Opposite faces equal.

Shoebox, book

Sphere

No faces, no edges, no vertices. Perfectly round.

Basketball, globe

Cone

1 circular face (base), 1 curved surface, 1 edge, 1 vertex (at the tip)

Ice cream cone, party hat

Cylinder

2 circular faces, 1 curved surface, no vertices

Can, water bottle

Pyramid (square base)

1 square base, 4 triangular faces, 8 edges, 5 vertices

Pyramid in Egypt, tent

Triangular Prism

2 triangular faces, 3 rectangular faces, 9 edges, 6 vertices

Toblerone chocolate bar

 

📏 Key Vocabulary

  • Face: A flat or curved surface of a 3D shape
  • Edge: Where two faces meet (like a line)
  • Vertex (Vertices): A corner point where edges meet
  • Base: The bottom surface on which a solid shape rests
  • Curved Surface: A smooth, round surface (not flat)

 

🧊 Shape Comparisons (Visualized)

Shape

Faces

Edges

Vertices

Cube

6

12

8

Cuboid

6

12

8

Sphere

0

0

0

Cone

2 (1 flat, 1 curved)

1

1

Cylinder

3 (2 flat, 1 curved)

2 (around circles)

0

 

🧍‍♀️ Learners’ Activities (Expanded)

  1. 3D Shape Construction
  • Students build models of solid shapes using:
    • Clay or playdough
    • Paper nets (pre-cut)
    • Toothpicks and marshmallows for edges and vertices
  • Label each shape:
    • Faces
    • Edges
    • Vertices
    • Curved vs. flat surfaces

 

  1. Classroom Shape Hunt
  • Students search for real-life 3D objects in the classroom.
  • Example:
    • Pencil box = cuboid
    • Glue stick = cylinder
    • Wall clock (round) = circle (2D) or cylinder (if thick)

Create a tally chart of how many of each shape they found.

 

  1. Sorting Activity
  • Provide mixed objects or images of both 2D and 3D shapes
  • Learners sort into two categories:
    • Flat Shapes (2D): square, circle, triangle
    • Solid Shapes (3D): cube, cylinder, cone
  • Discuss: “Why is a triangle flat and a cone solid?”

 

  1. Face–Edge–Vertex Challenge
  • In small groups, give students a solid shape.
  • Ask them to:
    • Count the faces, edges, and vertices
    • Record on a chart
    • Share findings with class

✅ Assessment Checks (Formative Assessment)

🔹 Oral Questions

  1. “How many faces does a cube have?” ➤ 6
  2. “Which shape has no edges or vertices?” ➤ Sphere
  3. “What is the difference between a cuboid and a cube?” ➤ Cube has all sides equal, cuboid has opposite sides equal

 

🔹 Quick Written Check

Match the shape to its description:

Shape

Description

Cylinder

A. 6 square faces

Cube

B. No edges or vertices

Cone

C. 2 circular faces, 1 curved surface

Sphere

D. 1 circular face, 1 vertex

Answers:

  • Cylinder → C
  • Cube → A
  • Cone → D
  • Sphere → B

 

🔹 Application Problem

Question:
A child is holding a ball, a shoebox, and an ice cream cone.
Which solid shapes are these?

Answer:

  • Ball → Sphere
  • Shoebox → Cuboid
  • Ice cream cone → Cone

 

🧑‍🏫 Teacher Notes (Expanded & Detailed)

✏️ Key Concepts to Reinforce:

  • All 3D shapes have depth, unlike 2D shapes.
  • A face can be flat or curved.
  • Only polyhedra (e.g., cube, cuboid, pyramid) have flat faces and sharp edges.
  • Emphasize use of correct terms: don’t say "side" when you mean "face" or "edge".

 

🚫 Common Misconceptions:

  • "A cylinder has 3 faces" – clarify that it has 2 flat circular faces and 1 curved surface.
  • "A sphere has 1 face" – spheres have no flat surfaces, just a continuous curved surface.
  • "All shapes with corners are cubes" – correct with examples of cuboids and pyramids.

 

📘 Optional Homework / Extension Task

3D Shape Scavenger Hunt (Home Activity)

  • Find at least 5 objects at home.
  • Write:
    • The name of the object
    • The 3D shape it matches
    • Number of faces, edges, and vertices (if applicable)

Example:

Object

Shape

Faces

Edges

Vertices

Tissue box

Cuboid

6

12

8

Football

Sphere

0

0

0

Water bottle

Cylinder

3

2

0

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Solid figures are 3D objects found in everyday life. They have faces, edges, and vertices.

Evaluation Method (Expanded)
Exit slip/quiz: Draw and name 3 solid figures.

Assignment (Expanded)
List 5 objects at home that are solid figures and name their types.

Follow-up Activity
Students bring small real-life examples of solid figures to the next class.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Use tactile clay models for learners with difficulty visualizing shapes. Pair learners for peer teaching.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low