Lesson 7.2 · Shapes
Solid shapes
Some shapes are flat, like a drawing. Other shapes are solid. You can hold them in your hands. A ball is a solid shape!
Flat or solid?
A flat shape lies flat on paper. A solid shape takes up space. You can pick it up and turn it around.
Definition
Solid shape
A solid shape is not flat. It has a top, a bottom and sides you can touch, like a block or a ball.
Meet the solid shapes
| Solid shape | Looks like |
|---|---|
| sphere | a ball 🏀 |
| cube | a number cube 🎲 |
| cylinder | a can 🥫 |
| cone | an ice cream cone 🍦 |
- A sphere is round all over. It has no flat parts.
- A cube has 6 flat faces. Each face is a square.
- A cylinder has 2 flat faces. Each one is a circle.
- A cone has 1 flat face, a circle, and a pointy top.
Roll, stack or slide?
Curved parts roll, flat parts stack
Round, curved parts let a shape roll. Flat faces let a shape stack. A sphere rolls. A cube stacks. A cylinder can do both!
Worked example: Name the solid
What solid shape is a basketball? 🏀
It is round all over, with no flat parts. A basketball is a sphere.
Worked example: Look at the faces
What shape is each face of a cube?
Look at a number cube 🎲. Every face is a square.
Worked example: Stack or roll
Can a cylinder stack? Can it roll?
Stand a can on its flat circle face. Now you can put another can on top, so it stacks. Lay it on its side and push it. It rolls. A cylinder can do both.
Common mistake
A circle and a sphere are not the same! A circle is flat, like a drawing ⚪. A sphere is solid, like a ball 🏀.
Practice
What solid shape is a soup can? 🥫
What solid shape is an ice cream cone? 🍦
How many faces does a cube have?
🎲
Type a number.
Which one is a flat shape?
Which solid shape rolls but can not stack?
How many flat faces does a cylinder have?
🥫
Type a number.