Classifying 3-Dimensional Shapes

Classifying
3-‐dimensional Shapes
Common Core: Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
(6.EE.A.2)
Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a
real-‐world or mathematical problem. (6.EE.B.6)
Objectives: 1) Students will learn vocabulary related to space figures.
2) Students will be able to name 3-‐dimensional objects.
3) Students will be able to identify parts of 3-‐dimensional objects.
4) Students will write algebraic expressions that help find the amount of
faces, edges, or vertices of a particular polyhedron.
Materials: The Third Dimension worksheet

Internet access (for looking up definitions)
Classifying Polyhedrons worksheet
Notecards labeled 1-8 (for numbering 8 different stations)
1 Rubik’s® Cube
7 Shape blocks (preferably: a regular tetrahedron, rectangular pyramid,
triangular prism, hexagonal prism, regular octahedron, regular
dodecahedron, and regular icosahedron)
Writing Rules worksheet
Procedure: 1) Students fill out The Third Dimension worksheet by searching online
for definitions.
2) While students are working, set up 8 stations around the classroom by
placing one numbered notecard and one shape at each location (the
Rubik’s Cube counts as one of the 8 shapes).
3) When done with the worksheet, students share and compare the
definitions they found, and discuss the similarities and differences of
their findings.
4) As students get out their Classifying Polyhedrons worksheet, explain to

them that they will be visiting each station in an attempt to name each
shape (using two words) and determine how many faces, edges, and
vertices it is comprised of.
©1974 Rubik’s® Used under license Rubik’s Brand Ltd. All rights reserved.
www.youcandothecube.com
5) Spread the students out at the different stations and let them start
filling out their worksheet, writing down their answers for each station in
the corresponding numbered row.
6) Students compare their answers and compile what they think the
answer key is; and then compare to the actual key.
7) Students work on their Writing Rules worksheet. They will focus on
specific groups of polyhedrons when counting faces, edges, and vertices
to discover shortcuts in the counting process. Then they will translate
those shortcuts into algebraic expressions.
Notes to Teacher: Depending on the length of your class, good breaks would be after
procedure 5, or after procedures 3 and 6.
My students tend to struggle with naming 3-‐dimensional shapes while

visiting the stations. I encourage them to make educated guesses based
on the definitions that we have been studying.
You will need to create your own answer key for the Classifying
Polyhedrons worksheet, due to the fact that you may use different
shapes, more or less shapes, or put shapes at different stations.
During the Writing Rules worksheet, give students access to as many of
the shape blocks as you can. It gives them a hands-‐on resource while
they are trying to develop hypotheses and test theories.
The Third Dimension
Define the following words.
Space figure – A
3-dimensional
shape
that
has
depth
in
addition
to

length
and
width

Polyhedron – A
3-dimensional
shape
made
up
of
polygons
(no
curves)

Parts of a Polyhedron: Face – A

flat
surface
of
a
3-dimensional
shape

Edge – A
line
segment
that
connects
two
faces

Vertex – A
point
where
the
edges
meet

Special Polyhedrons
Prism -‐ Platonic Solid -‐ Pyramid -‐ Others:
A 3D shape with A 3D shape

where
all
A 3D shape
with
a Concave,

two congruent faces are congruent,
Truncated,
polygon base
etc...
parallel bases all faces are regular, connected to triangles
connected
by
and
all vertices
have
that
all extend
to the

rectangles. the same number of same point

edges
Name the shape that is both Name the shape that is both
a prism and a platonic solid: a pyramid and a platonic solid:
Cube
Regular
Tetrahedron

(Regular Hexahedron) (Triangular Pyramid)
(Rectangular Prism)
Classifying Polyhedrons
Visit each of t he shape stations. At each station, attempt t o
correctly name each space figure (using two words). Then
document t he number of faces, e dges, and vertices of each shape.
Leave t he last column blank. It will be used later in t he lesson.
Writing Rules
Prisms
1) Count the faces, edges, and vertices of the following prisms.
Name n faces vertices edges

triangular prism 3 5 6 9
rectangular prism 4 6 8 12
pentagonal prism 5 7 10 15
*n represents the number of sides of
one of the bases
Take n and: +2 x2 x3
2) Find the patterns in the table above and use it to make a prediction.

hexagonal prism 6 8 12 18
3) Draw a hexagonal prism and check your prediction.
4) Write function rules that describe the shortcuts in finding the number of faces, edges, and
vertices of a prism. (vertices is already completed as an example)
Faces: F = n + 2
Edges: E = 3n or E = 3·∙n
Vertices: V = 2n or V = 2·∙n
Pyramids
1) Count the faces, edges, and vertices of the following pyramids.

triangular pyramid 3 4 4 6
rectangular pyramid 4 5 5 8
pentagonal pyramid 5 6 6 10
the base
Take n and: +1 +1 x2
2) Find the patterns in the previous table and use it to make a prediction.

hexagonal pyramid 6 7 7 12
3) Draw a hexagonal pyramid and check your prediction.
vertices of a pyramid.
Faces: F = n + 1
Edges: E = 2n
Vertices: V = n + 1
Platonic Solids
What shortcuts could be used to count the faces, edges, and vertices of these regular polyhedrons?
Write a description and try it.
For the dodecahedron on the right, there are 12 faces.

Each face is a pentagon, which has 5 edges (sides).
5x12=60; however an edge connects two faces, so we are
counting each edge twice. 60/2=30; so there are 30
edges. Each face also has 5 vertices (angles). 5x12=60;
however a vertex connects three edges of three different
faces. 60/3=20; so there are 20 vertices.
Euler’s Formula
Go back to the Classifying Polyhedrons worksheet. Label the blank column “F + V”, and in each
row add the number of faces to the number of vertices and record that in the new column. When you
get done with that, compare column “F + V” with column “E”, and write down a function rule describing
the pattern.
F+ V = E + 2 this formula works for every polyhedron
The Third Dimension
Define the following words.
Space figure –
Polyhedron –
Parts of a Polyhedron: Face –
Edge –
Vertex –
Special Polyhedrons
Prism -‐ Platonic Solid -‐ Pyramid -‐ Others:
Concave,
Truncated,
etc...
Name the shape that is both Name the shape that is both
a prism and a platonic solid: a pyramid and a platonic solid:
Classifying Polyhedrons
Visit each of t he shape stations. At each station, attempt t o
correctly name each space figure (using two words). Then
document t he number of faces, e dges, and vertices of each shape.
Leave t he last column blank. It will be used later in t he lesson.
Writing Rules
Prisms
1) Count the faces, edges, and vertices of the following prisms.

triangular prism 3
rectangular prism 4
pentagonal prism 5
one of the bases
2) Find the patterns in the table above and use it to make a prediction.

hexagonal prism 6
3) Draw a hexagonal prism and check your prediction.
vertices of a prism. (Vertices is already completed as an example)
Faces: F =
Edges: E =
Vertices: V = 2n or V = 2·∙n
Pyramids
1) Count the faces, edges, and vertices of the following pyramids.

triangular pyramid 3
rectangular pyramid 4
pentagonal pyramid 5
the base
2) Find the patterns in the previous table and use it to make a prediction.

hexagonal pyramid 6
3) Draw a hexagonal pyramid and check your prediction.
vertices of a prism.
Faces: F =
Edges: E =
Vertices: V =
Platonic Solids
What shortcuts could be used to count the faces, edges, and vertices of these regular polyhedrons?
Write a description and try it.
Euler’s Formula
Go back to the Classifying Polyhedrons worksheet. Label the blank column “F + V”, and in each
row add the number of faces to the number of vertices and record that in the new column. When you
get done with that, compare column “F + V” with column “E”, and write down a function rule describing
the pattern.

Classifying 3-Dimensional Shapes

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Classifying

Objectives: 1) Students will learn vocabulary related to space figures.

2) Students will be able to name 3-­‐dimensional objects.

Materials: The Third Dimension worksheet

4) As students get out their Classifying Polyhedrons worksheet, explain to

My students tend to struggle with naming 3-­‐dimensional shapes while

Define the following words.

Parts of a Polyhedron: Face – A

Prism -­‐ Platonic Solid -­‐ Pyramid -­‐ Others:

A 3D shape with A 3D shape

Name n faces vertices edges

Name n faces vertices edges

3) Draw a hexagonal prism and check your prediction.

Edges: E = 3n or E = 3·∙n

Vertices: V = 2n or V = 2·∙n

Name n faces vertices edges

Name n faces vertices edges

3) Draw a hexagonal pyramid and check your prediction.

For the dodecahedron on the right, there are 12 faces.

F+ V = E + 2 this formula works for every polyhedron

Define the following words.

Parts of a Polyhedron: Face –

Prism -­‐ Platonic Solid -­‐ Pyramid -­‐ Others:

Name n faces vertices edges

Name n faces vertices edges

3) Draw a hexagonal prism and check your prediction.

Vertices: V = 2n or V = 2·∙n

Name n faces vertices edges

Name n faces vertices edges

3) Draw a hexagonal pyramid and check your prediction.

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2) Students will be able to name 3-‐dimensional objects.

My students tend to struggle with naming 3-‐dimensional shapes while

Prism -‐ Platonic Solid -‐ Pyramid -‐ Others:

Prism -‐ Platonic Solid -‐ Pyramid -‐ Others: