Virginia SOL 4.MG.6.a
The Standard
Identify concrete models and pictorial representations of solid figures (cube, rectangular prism, square pyramid, sphere, cone, and cylinder).
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will identify, describe, compare, and contrast plane and solid figures according to their characteristics (number of angles, vertices, edges, and the number and shape of faces), with and without models.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students match common solid figures to their names when shown physical models or drawings. They use visible features, not size, color, or position, to identify each figure.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly name each solid from an object, model, or drawing, even when it is turned. They use faces, curved surfaces, edges, and vertices to explain their choices.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may call every box a cube or confuse a cylinder with a cone. They may use the orientation or size of a drawing instead of its defining features.
How to Assess It
- Show pictures of the six solids in mixed orientations. Ask students to name each solid and circle one feature that supports each answer.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a bag of solid models to sort, name, and label with sticky notes showing faces, edges, vertices, or curved surfaces.
Display two solids and ask, “How are these alike and different?” Students write two comparisons using geometric features.
Play Solid Figure Bingo using clue cards such as, “I have one vertex, one flat face, and one curved surface.”
Have students photograph or sketch classroom objects, then label each as a cube, rectangular prism, square pyramid, sphere, cone, or cylinder.
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Printable 4.MG.6.a Worksheet

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Related Standards
- 4.MG.6.b
Identify and describe solid figures (cube, rectangular prism, square pyramid, and sphere) according to their characteristics (number of angles, vertices, edges,...
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The student will describe, name, compare, and contrast plane and solid figures (circles/spheres, squares/cubes, and rectangles/rectangular prisms).
- 2.MG.4.c
Given a concrete or pictorial model, name and describe the solid figure (sphere, cube, and rectangular prism) by its characteristics (e.g., number of edges, num...
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