Orientation does not change the shape
A cube is still a cube whether it is resting on a face, an edge or shown at an angle.
6 square faces12 edges
2 flat faces1 curved surface
Look at the shape facts, not only at the picture angle.
Year 3
Recognise 3-D shapes in different orientations and describe them
Recognise the same 3-D shape even when it is turned, tilted or viewed from a different angle.
Lesson overview
Geometry - properties of shape
A 3-D shape stays the same shape even when it is rotated or looked at from another direction. We recognise it by its faces, edges, curves and vertices.
Use shape properties
A sphere has no edges or vertices, even when the picture changes.
no edgesno vertices
1 vertex1 curved surface
Curved surfaces help us tell some 3-D shapes apart.
Describe what you notice
You can describe a shape using faces, edges, vertices and curved surfaces.
These are the key words for 3-D shape descriptions.
Worked example
A solid has one curved surface and one vertex. What shape could it be?
1 vertexcurved surface
- Think about which 3-D shapes have curved surfaces.
- A sphere has no vertices, so it cannot be a sphere.
- A cylinder has no vertices, so it cannot be a cylinder.
- A cone has one curved surface and one vertex, so it fits the description.
Try it
Ignore the angle of the drawing and focus on the shape properties that stay the same.
Question 1
Which shape has no edges and no vertices?
no edgesno vertices
Question 2
Which shape has one vertex and one curved surface?
1 vertexcurved surface
Question 3
How many vertices does a cuboid have?
count the corners
Question 4
If a cube is tilted, what shape is it still?
turned, but still the same
Question 5
Which description matches a cylinder?
flat facescurved surface
Common mistakes
Watch for these when working through the lesson.
- Thinking a turned cube is a different shape.
- Using only one face to name the whole 3-D shape.
- Forgetting that some shapes have curved surfaces.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with this lesson.
- Draw 2-D shapes and make 3-D shapes using modelling materials.
- Recognise angles as a property of shape or a description of a turn.