Pupils extend their use of the properties of shapes.

Non-statutory guidance: Pupils’ knowledge of the properties of shapes is extended at this stage to symmetrical and non-symmetrical polygons and polyhedra.

Draw 2-D shapes and make 3-D shapes using modelling materials and recognise 3-D shapes in different orientations and describe them.

Pupils identify, compare and sort shapes on the basis of their properties and use vocabulary precisely, such as sides, edges, vertices and faces.

Non-statutory guidance: Pupils handle and name a wide variety of common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including quadrilaterals and polygons, and cuboids, prisms and cones, and identify the properties of each shape (for example, number of sides, number of faces).

Compare and sort common 2-D and 3-D shapes and everyday objects.

Identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes.

Identify and describe the properties of 3-D shapes, including the number of edges, vertices and faces.

Identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including the number of sides and line symmetry in a vertical line.

They recognise these shapes in different orientations and sizes, and know that rectangles, triangles, cuboids and pyramids are not always similar to each other.

Non-statutory guidance: Pupils handle common 2-D and 3-D shapes, naming these and related everyday objects fluently.

Recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: 2-D shapes 3-D shapes.

Here’s what the National Curriculum expects to be taught about 2D shapes and 3D shapes, separated by year: 3D shapes in Year 1 Geometry is taught in every year group in KS1 and KS2. Read more: 2D And 3D Shapes: Properties of Shapes When will my child learn about 3D shapes in primary school?

A hexagonal prism has 8 faces, 18 edges and 12 vertices.

A pentagonal prism has 7 faces, 15 edges and 10 vertices.

A cuboid has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices.

A cube has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices.

A triangular prism has 5 faces, 9 edges and 6 vertices.A cylinder has 2 faces, 1 curved surface and 2 edges.A square-based pyramid has 5 faces, 8 edges and 5 vertices.A tetrahedron, or triangular-based pyramid, has 4 faces, 6 edges and 4 vertices.A cone has 1 face, 1 curved surface, 1 edge and 1 vertex.A hemisphere has 1 face, 1 curved surface and 1 edge.Tetrahedron or Triangular-based pyramidĪs well as the names, children need to know the properties of 3D shapes as listed below and in the printable table.Learning 3D shapes through Third Space Learning’s online interventions 3D shapes names A cone has one vertex, and a cube has 4 vertices. The singular of vertices is actually vertex which can be a bit confusing. Vertices are where two lines or edges meet in maths we refer to the corners of 3D shapes as vertices. What is an edge?Īn edge is where two line segments or faces meet. A sphere has 1 curved surface but no face. For example a square based prism has 5 faces. What is a face?Ī face is a flat surface to a 3D object. The properties of 3D shapes are their faces, edges and vertices which all have specific meanings in the context of primary school maths lessons. For example did you know that both a cube and a cuboid with a square base and straight sides are actually considered prisms. It’s worth knowing that geometrically prisms incorporate more solid shapes than you might traditionally think of as prisms. In primary school, your child will learn about the following key geometric shapes: spheres, cones, prisms and pyramids. This contrasts with 2D shapes where children must learn about both regular and irregular shapes.

However, in the primary curriculum, children only need to know the names and understand the properties of the most common 3D shapes.

Nearly everything we see and interact with in our day to day lives is a three-dimensional shape, from Lego bricks to sunflowers. Examples of 3D shapes are around us all the time.

Solid shapes