Geometric solids are three-dimensional shapes. Width, depth and height are the three dimensions. Understanding of dimensions will help children later to grasp concepts such as volume and surface area. Some shapes have flat surfaces, such as cubes, cuboids, prisms and pyramids. Yet there are shapes that lack flat surface--spheres and cones, for example.
Use geometric solid sets. Divide the children into groups and let them explore the solids. Ask them to sort the solids into two groups and to explain why they have put certain solids in the same group. A set of geometric solids can be put into different groups, such as color and size. Talk about different ways of sorting solids. Count the number of flat surfaces and show how solids can be put into two groups--i.e., solids with faces and solids without faces. Put some solids in a non-see-through bag and let children touch a solid and describe what the solid feels like.
Ask children to predict what will happen if you build a tower with solids without faces, such as cones and spheres. Build a tower using solids and examine different ways to build a tower using solids without faces.
Making your own solid out of clay is a fun way to explore solids. Ask children to make spheres and cubes. Talk about which geometric solid is easiest to make out of clay. Singing a song about geometric solids is a great way to increase language skills and to gain understanding about everyday objects that are geometrical solids--ice cream cones, for example. At HarcourtSchool.com you can find the lyrics to the song "What Am I?" and you can also listen to the music. The lyrics of the song can be used to play a guessing game. Read a description of a solid and let the children point to the solid shape they think you are talking about.