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

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022

Geometric Solids with Plane Figures
Store	Price
Adena	$65.95
Affordable Montessori	$95.00
[https://affordmontessori.com/geo-solids-with-3-holders.html Affordable	$95.00
Alison's	$66.15
Alison's	$155.00
Alison's natural finish	$98.17
E & O	$179.10
IFIT	$64.00
IFIT	$45.00
Leader Joy	$66.99
Leader Joy	$125.35
Montessori Concepts	$90.00
Pink Montessori	$58.99
Thinkamajigs	$99.95

Geometric Solids (no plane figures)
Store	Price
Alison's natural finish	$26.25
Bruins	$170.00
E & O natural finish	$206.10
Kid Advance	$59.99
Leader Joy	$18.95
Materials Co. of Boston no triangular based pyramid	$115.00
[https://www.montessori-n-such.com/collections/all/products/montessori-blue-geometric-solids-set11-item-s5362 Montessori	$78.00
Montessori Outlet	$52.95
Nienhuis	$169.90

Plane Figures
Store	Price
Affordable Montessori	$12.00
Alison's	$18.90
Bruins	$30.00
E & O	$19.80
Kid Advance	$12.99
Materials Co. of Boston	$22.00
Montessori Concepts	$14.00
[https://www.montessori-n-such.com/collections/all/products/bases-and-box-for-geometric-solids-item-s5363 Montessori	$24.95
Montessori Outlet	$14.95
Nienhuis	$35.10
Pink Montessori	$4.99
Pink Montessori	$9.00

Basket
Store	Price
Kid Advance	$12.59
Nienhuis	$13.50

Three-Part Cards
Store	Price
Affordable Montessori	$16.00
Alison's no triangular prism	$17.00
Alison's not laminated	$11.99
ETC Montessori	$20.00

Definition Cards
Store	Price
Alison's not cut out, no triangular prism	$22.00
Alison's not laminated, not cut out	$15.99

Three Stands for Round Shapes
Store	Price

Further Reading

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