Virginia SOL K.3.b

ScienceKindergartenMatter

The Standard

shapes and forms

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students observe objects and describe their shapes using words such as round, square, flat, curved, or pointed. They compare the outline of flat shapes with the form of solid objects.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can name or describe the shape of a familiar object and explain how two objects are alike or different. The student uses visible features as evidence.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call every round object a circle, including balls and cans. They may focus on color or size instead of shape, or think an object changes shape when it is turned.
How to Assess It: Show a paper circle, a ball, and a cube. Ask, “Which objects are round, and how are their forms different?”

Lesson moves

Place blocks, lids, balls, boxes, and craft sticks in a basket, then have students sort them by shape and explain each group.
Show two classroom objects and ask, “How are their shapes alike, and how are they different?”
Play Shape Detective by giving clues such as “flat with three corners” while students point to a matching object.
Take a classroom shape walk and have students sketch one flat shape and one solid form they find.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.3.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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