Children become more engaged in learning when it is interactive. Provide the students with blocks of different 3-dimensional shapes. Let them hold the blocks and feel the sides and corners. Now provide the students with stamp-ink or washable paint. Let the students dip the shapes one side at a time into the ink or paint and stamp them onto paper. Explain what appears on the paper is a 2-dimensional shape because it is flat. Then explain 3-dimensional shapes are made up of 2-dimensional shapes put together in a way that takes up space. Label terms such as side or face, corner, curved and equal.
After the students have been taught the names of 3-dimensional shapes and labels to describe their parts, they can practice skills using a feely bag. Place one geometric object into a bag and let students take turns reaching in to the bag without looking. Ask them to feel the object and describe it. For example, it may be round or have corners, it may have a curve or faces of equal size. After they have described the object, ask them to guess its name.
Most children enjoy singing, and the melody of songs can help students retain information. Find a shape song from an online educational website or make up your own. The song should include concepts that relate to the lesson, such as naming 2-and-3-dimensional shapes and identifying the number of sides it has or what it looks like. Set the words to a familiar tune such as Mary Had a Little Lamb or Where is Thumbkin. You may also ask the children to help make up the words.
This activity can be conducted before or after introducing the names of the shapes. Provide the students with geometric shapes or objects. Ask them to build something using the objects. They may do this activity individually or in groups depending on the number of objects that are available. Ask them which shapes were easier to use for building. Explain that 3-dimensional shapes can be used for building but 2-dimensional shapes are flat. Then build a slide by stacking up 3 or 4 books then placing one book diagonally at the side. Have the students roll the shapes down the slide. Ask them which shapes rolled more easily.