Math lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 minutes
Count the faces of 3D shapes
Geometry
CCSS 2.G.A.1England: Y2 Geometry
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Count the faces of 3D shapes.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Flat shapes on the faces of solids
Leads to: Count edges and vertices of 3D shapes
Materials: Rulers and protractors, Squared or dotted paper, Shape cut-outs, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Flat shapes on the faces of solids). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What shape is the bottom face of a square-based pyramid? (circle / square / hexagon / triangle) → squarePrompt: Imagine pressing the face into sand and looking at the print.
- True or false? A cone has two flat faces. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Picture the solid shape and turn it round in your mind.
- What shape is each face of a cube? (square / hexagon / triangle / circle) → squarePrompt: Imagine pressing the face into sand and looking at the print.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a photo of a building, a tile pattern or a road sign and ask what shapes and angles students can spot.
- Share the objective: Count the faces of 3D shapes. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: How many faces does a cuboid have?
- Step 1: A cuboid has 6 faces.
- Answer: 6
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- How many faces does a cuboid have? → 6Prompt: A face is a flat surface.
- How many flat faces does a cylinder have? → 2Prompt: Curved surfaces are not flat faces.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- How many faces does a cube have? → 6Prompt: A face is a flat surface.
- How many flat faces does a cylinder have? → 2Prompt: Curved surfaces are not flat faces.
Watch out for
- Thinking a square turned on its corner is no longer a square.
- Reading the wrong scale on a protractor.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Flat shapes on the faces of solids.
- Use concrete materials: rulers and protractors.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Count edges and vertices of 3D shapes.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-2.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder