Geometric Solids Grab Bag Activity

After Spring Break, we are kicking off our study of plane and solid figures in my intervention groups. So, I came up with a quick and easily differentiated activity. I thought that you might could use it, too! These are my geometric solids grab bags for my small group instruction. I bought some white gift bags at the dollar store. The fabulous, glittery numbers are from Glitter Meets Glue. You can find them here. I have oodles of plastic and wooden solids in my storage cabinet. I selected six different solids - one for each bag.

I made this quick little recording sheet for the students to use. They will fill in the information for each bag and then cut and paste the picture of the solid figure that the bag contains. You can grab your own copy here.

Differentiation Options

1. Work independently--Let's face it. We all have students who prefer to work on their own or have difficulty working with others. They can select a bag. Reach inside. Feel the object (NO PEEKING!) and record their answers. This option is great for tactile/kinesthetic learners.

2. Partner Up - Student A will choose a bag and reach inside. Student B will question Student A about the edges, flat faces, vertices, and a real life example of the solid. Student B records the responses on the sheet. Then, Student B works with Student A to name the solid and pick the appropriate image for their team. They can swap roles if you wish. This option is great for pairing kinesthetic learners with auditory learners.

3. Teacher's Mystery Bag - In a small group setting, students take turns choosing a bag for the teacher to hold. The teacher will place his/her hand inside the bag and answer the questions that the students ask. They will record the teacher's answers and then see if they can name the mystery shape in the teacher's bag. This option is great for students who need to work on auditory processing.

Whether you choose option 1, 2, or 3, students should not look inside the bag. Do a big unveiling when everyone has completed their recording sheet and has labeled all 6 bags. 

Oh by the way, we have had MANY grade level discussions about some of the controversies surrounding geometric shapes. Sheesh! Why does this subject have to be so hard!?! We agreed to say "flat faces" since students may later learn that a cylinder has 3 faces: two circles and one rectangle. We decided to only count the flat ones for now.

I hope that this will be fun for your kiddos and easy for you!