How to Label Shapes in Third Grade Geometry

Most people are visual learners, so it is best to incorporate pictures and objects into lessons on shapes.

Shapes are a basic component of geometry. Before you can advance to teaching how to deconstruct a shape into its various elements--angles, lengths and widths--you must first ensure your students have mastered identifying various shapes. One of the best ways to help young students learn shapes is by relating common shapes to common objects. This provides a strong corresponding visual to each shape being taught. You should also be sure to incorporate the actual written name of the shape to help encourage proper spelling.

Things You'll Need

• Chalkboard or white board
• Chalk or white board pens
• Ice cream cone
• Soda can
• Ball
• Block
• Pyramid or picture of a pyramid
• Small, long box of crackers or cookies
• Masking tape
• Pen

Instructions

Two-Dimensional Shapes

1. Draw a large square, about 1 foot by 1 foot, on the board. This will be the main part of a house.

2. Draw a rectangle in the square for the door. Draw a square for a window and a circle for the doorknob on the door.

3. Draw a triangle on top of the large square to make a roof for the house. Draw a circle in the sky to make a sun. Draw a rectangle near the house to make a tree trunk, and draw a triangle on top of the rectangle to make the rest of the tree.

4. Label each shape accordingly. If you have already begun teaching shapes, you may call upon students to come to the board to label a shape.

Three-Dimensional Shapes

1. Take your objects and lay them on a table.

2. Apply masking tape to each object.

3. Label each object by its shape. For example, the ice cream cone would be labeled as a cone, the block would be labeled as a cube, and the soda can would be labeled as a cylinder.

4. Point to different parts of the three-dimensional objects and ask your class what two-dimensional shape is represented. For example, the side of a cube is a square, while the base of a cone is a circle. This helps reinforce the concept that three-dimensional shapes are made up of multiple two-dimensional shapes.

References

• McREL: Shapes, Shapes Everywhere
• "Learn Every Day About Shapes"; Kathy Charner; September 2009