Geometric Solids

Geometric Solids
Sensorial - Visual Discrimination of Form
Level	Primary
Age	3.5 - 6
Prerequisites	discrimination of form Pink Tower Knobbed Cylinders Broad Stair
Materials	Ten geometric solids: sphere cube cone cylinder ovoid ellipsoid rectangular prism triangular prism square based pyramid triangular based pyramid

Use of this material makes the child familiar with 3 dimensional geometric shapes and teaches their names. This activity prepares the child for geometry.

Presentations

Introduction to the solids

1. Select three solids and carry them to a mat or table (these can be carried in a small basket).

   

2. Name the first solid shape. Allow the child plenty of time to look at and feel the solid.
3. Present the other two objects in the same way.
4. Do a Three Period Lesson.

Variations and Extensions

• Take one solid out at a time.
• Let the child make the shapes with blue clay.
• Have the child look for objects from the environment that are examples of each shape.

  

Language

• A triangular based pyramid can also be called a tetrahedron.
• An ovoid is smaller at one end (like an egg), an ellipsoid has ends that are the same.
• An Ellipsoid is the same shape as that of a rugby ball.

Material

The triangular based pyramid can also be called a tetrahedron. The difference between the ovoid and the ellipsoid is that the ovoid is smaller at one end like an egg.

Make Your Own

This material would be difficult to make on your own without some pretty good woodworking skills. There are, however, similar, far less expensive sets of geometric solids for sale online that were designed to be used in math classrooms. These are a bit smaller than the Montessori version. Neither set has an ovoid, but as the author of one blog pointed out, an ovoid might be easy to find in a craft store after Easter.

ScienceKit.com

Where to Buy

Geometric Solids Sets
Affordable Montessori $95.00
Affordable Montessori $129.00 (premium)
Albanesi $206.00
Alison's $25.00 (unpainted wood)
Bruins $150.00
E & O $140.00
E & O $140.00
ETC Montessori $150.00
Hello Wood $179.00 (stained blue)
Hello Wood $174.00 (painted blue)
Hello Wood $169.00 (unpainted wood)
IFIT $69.00
Materials Company of Boston $135.00 (no triangular based pyramid)
Materials Company of Boston $138.00 (unpainted wood)(no triangular based pyramid)
Montessori Buy $53.45
Montessori Concepts $49.00
Montessori Educativos $80.77 (unpainted wood)
Montessori N' Such $78.00
Montessori Outlet $43.95
Nienhuis $165.50

Geometric Solids with Bases
A Plus Montessori $49.95
Absorbent Montessori $66.00
Adena $42.85
Affordable Montessori $79.00
Alison's $60.00
Alison's $117.00 (premium)
Alison's $99.00 (unpainted wood)
Best Montessori Toys $99.00
Cabdev $179.00
E & O $110.00
Juliana $119.00
Kid Advance $49.99
Montessori Educativos $129.23
Montessori Stores $150.00
Montessori Stores $150.00
Thinkamajigs $94.95

Plane Figures
A Plus Montessori $9.45
Affordable Montessori $12.00
Alison's $18.00
Alison's $10.00 (no stands)
Bruins $27.00
Cabdev $33.00
E & O $22.00
ETC Montessori $27.00
Hello Wood $32.00(stained blue)
Hello Wood $31.00(painted blue)
Hello Wood $30.00(unpainted wood)
IFIT $9.00
Kid Advance $9.99
Materials Company of Boston $26.00
Montessori Buy $9.58
Montessori N' Such $18.00
Montessori Outlet $9.95
Nienhuis $25.50 (paper cards)
Nienhuis $32.50

Three Stands for Round Shapes
Hello Wood $18.00 (painted blue)

Three-Part Cards
Affordable Montessori $29.00
Alison's $12.00
Alison's $19.00 (no triangular prism)
Alison's $9.99 (not laminated)(no triangular prism)

Definition Cards
Alison's $22.00 (not cut out)(no triangular prism)
Alison's $15.00 (not laminated)(not cut out)(no triangular prism)

Basket
Albanesi $21.00
Montessori N' Such $4.75
Nienhuis $9.90

Box
Albanesi $23.00

Non-Montessori Geometric Solid Sets
Montessori N' Such $24.94

Further Reading

• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, page 110-115