NAME ______________________________ DATE _______________
FAMILY LETTER
(PAGE 1 OF 2)
Dear Family,
The activities below are related to the mathematics in the geometry unit that your child is working on in class. Doing them at home with your child can enrich your child's mathematical learning.
3-D Shape Hunt Shapes are everywhere. Talk with your child about the three-dimensional shapes you see every day—from the buildings in your neighborhood to the cereal boxes in the cabinet. Sometimes, describe the 3-D shapes. For example, “The roof of that building is shaped like a pyramid.” At other times, ask your child to look for specific shapes. “See how many cylinders you can find today at the grocery store.”
Making Shapes Making shapes is a great way to learn about them. At home, your child may use clay, drinking straws, or a loop of yarn. Ask your child:
• Can you make a shape with three sides?
• Do you know what that shape is called?
• Can you make a cube? How many sides does it have?
You may also make different shapes and ask your child to name and describe them.
Ask questions about the number of sides, edges, faces, corners, and/or the shape of the faces, such as these:
• I am making a 3-D shape. How many faces does it have? What shape(s) are the faces?
• Do you know what this shape is called?