{"id":3153,"date":"2024-01-31T13:15:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T18:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/?p=3153"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T15:56:45","slug":"2d-3d-shapes-activities-for-primary-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/2d-3d-shapes-activities-for-primary-students\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Teach 2D and 3D Shapes to Elementary Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<p>Are your first, second, or third grade students learning about 2D &amp; 3D shapes?\u00a0 Teaching geometry can be a lot of fun!\u00a0 Students often enjoy classifying and sorting shapes into different categories or exploring 3D solids with their hands!<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few activities you can incorporate into your geometry lessons!<\/p>\n<h2>Hands-On 2D &amp; 3D Shapes Activities<\/h2>\n<h3>Sort the Shapes<\/h3>\n<p>If you have a set of tangram or attribute blocks, students can practice sorting them into groups based on their characteristics or properties.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"sorting shapes\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9045.jpg?resize=1024%2C732\" alt=\"sorting shapes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Discuss geometric properties (number of sides, vertices, etc.) and attributes (color, size).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Geometry-Unit-2D-3D-Shapes-Grade-1-Math-Ontario-Identifying-Sorting-Shapes-2626997?utm_source=2D3D%20Blog%20Post&amp;utm_campaign=Grade%201%20Geometry%20Unit\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"sorting 3d shapes\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/sorting-3d-solids.jpg?resize=1024%2C732\" alt=\"sorting 3d shapes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Make 3D Objects<\/h3>\n<p>Students can make 3D objects from nets (printed on paper) or use unfolded cereal or tea boxes!\u00a0 This allows them to see the number and shape of the faces.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"3d nets of shapes\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3d-net.jpg?resize=967%2C967\" alt=\"3d nets of shapes\" width=\"967\" height=\"967\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can also have them use pipe cleaners and stick tack or any other materials you have on hand.\u00a0 The cube below was made using toothpicks and marshmallows!<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"making 3d cubes\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cube-01.jpg?resize=1024%2C888\" alt=\"making 3d cubes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"888\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Go On a Shape Scavenger Hunt<\/h2>\n<p>Take a walk with your class around the school or outdoors and see how many different shapes you can find!\u00a0 The team that finds the most shapes wins!<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"shape scavenger hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/shapes-1.png?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"shape scavenger hunt\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Play Geometry Games<\/h2>\n<p>As a class you can play an &#8220;I Have Who Has&#8221; game to review the shapes.\u00a0 Or you can us task cards and play a game of scoot.\u00a0 Students have to scoot around the room solving problems!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/2D-3D-Shapes-I-Have-Who-Has-Game-1019074?utm_source=2D3D%20Blog%20Post&amp;utm_campaign=2D%203D%20Shapes%20I%20Have%20Who%20Has\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"2d &amp; 3d shapes game\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2d-3d-shapes-game.png?resize=1024%2C430\" alt=\"2d &amp; 3d shapes game\" width=\"1024\" height=\"430\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Geometry Resources<\/h2>\n<p>If you are looking for some resources to help you teach shapes, you may want to take a look at these:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/2D-3D-Shapes-Posters-for-Math-Wall-Cube-Sphere-Cylinder-Prisms-Cone-10465368?utm_source=Shapes%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=Shapes%20Posters\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2d-and-3d-shapes-posters.png?resize=378%2C378\" alt=\"2d and 3d shapes posters\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"378\" width=\"378\" title=\"2d and 3d shapes posters\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/2D-3D-Shapes-Test-Identifying-Shapes-Assessment-1st-2nd-3rd-Grades-12402974?utm_source=Shapes%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=2D%203D%20Shapes%20Test\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2D-and-3D-shapes-test.png?resize=756%2C756\" alt=\"2d and 3d shapes test\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"756\" width=\"756\" title=\"2D and 3D shapes test\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Geometry-Unit-2D-3D-Shapes-Grade-1-Math-Ontario-Identifying-Sorting-Shapes-2626997?utm_source=Geometry%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=Grade%201%20Geometry%20Unit\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/grade-1-geometry-unit.png?resize=378%2C378\" alt=\"geometry unit\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"378\" width=\"378\" title=\"grade-1-geometry-unit\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/2D-Shapes-Worksheets-Matching-Cards-Cut-Paste-Activity-2nd-3rd-Grades-2109792?utm_source=Shapes%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=2D%20Shapes%20Worksheets\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2D-shapes-worksheets.png?resize=945%2C945\" alt=\"2d shapes worksheets\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"945\" width=\"945\" title=\"2D shapes worksheets\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Geometry-2D-Shapes-Unit-Grade-2-Math-Ontario-Worksheets-Pattern-Blocks-604885?utm_source=Geometry%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=Grade%202%20Geometry%20Unit\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2d-shapes-unit-for-grade-2.png?resize=378%2C378\" alt=\"2D Shapes Unit for Grade 2\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"378\" width=\"378\" title=\"2d-shapes-unit-for-grade-2\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/2D-3D-Shapes-I-Have-Who-Has-Game-1019074?utm_source=2D3D%20Blog%20Post&#038;utm_campaign=2D%203D%20Shapes%20I%20Have%20Who%20Has\"  target=\"_self\" itemprop=\"url\">\n\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2d-3d-shapes-game-1.png?resize=756%2C756\" alt=\"2d and 3d shapes game\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"756\" width=\"756\" title=\"2d-3d-shapes-game\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><div class=\"mh-excerpt\">\n<p>Are your first, second, or third grade students learning about 2D &amp; 3D shapes?\u00a0 Teaching geometry can be a lot of fun!\u00a0 Students often enjoy <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/2d-3d-shapes-activities-for-primary-students\/\" title=\"How to Teach 2D and 3D Shapes to Elementary Students\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3154,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[93],"class_list":["post-3153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-primary","tag-math"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2d-3d-shapes-game.png?fit=3242%2C1361","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3153"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3734,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3153\/revisions\/3734"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.theteachingrabbit.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}