Geometry is always one of my favorite units to teach as it is so hands-on! One activity my students always love is making 3D cubes. It requires minimal materials that you may already have at home or in your classroom. This activity engages the sense of touch (tactile sensory system) in learning math for all ages and abilities!
Materials:
- 12 toothpicks per child for creating a cube, more toothpicks for further exploration of other shapes
- Playdough, mini marshmallows or modeling clay
Instructions:
Depending on the age and ability of the child, you can go about this activity in several different ways. It is always good to start with 2 dimensional shapes as a first experience. For children who need step-by-step support, you can model each step and they can copy you. For more independent learners, you can guide them by asking questions like, “how many sides does a square have?” From there you can have them create two squares (the top and the bottom on the cube). Then you could model how to use the toothpicks to connect the two squares together to make a 3 dimensional cube. Finally discuss the shape attributes of faces, edges, and vertices.
For slightly older children and those who like challenges, you can show them either a picture of a cube or a premade model and have them go at it! Assist along the way as needed, but generally with time and patience they can create a cube on their own. My second graders did very well this way!
To wrap up the activity, have a focused discussion on shape attributes. You can point out how each piece of playdough (or marshmallow/modeling clay) is a vertex. Have them count how many vertices a cube has and record it. You can then have kids cut out squares, or have precut squares, to show that squares are the faces of the cube. Have them count how many faces a cube has and record it. Finally, to heighten tactile sensory input, children can either use their fingers or a marker to trace the edges on the cube, the point where two faces meet. Have them count how many edges a cube has and record it.
Modifications:
The possibilities are endless with this activity. You can have them try to create other 3D shapes and continue to look at the shape attributes and ask: What is the face shape? How many faces does it have? How many edges and vertices? Finally, to provide a tactile sensory challenge: Can you make a 3D shape with your eyes closed, only using your sense of touch?
