In math we have shifted our focus from 2-D shapes to 3-D shapes.  Young children might not intuitively distinguish between the two, referring to both circles and spheres as balls.  To help make this distinction we have spent time comparing 2-D and 3-D shapes, noticing the similarities and especially noting the differences.  2-D shapes are flat (no depth) and 3-D shapes are solid and not flat.

We have also spent time exploring and comparing different 3-D shapes, including cones, cylinders, spheres, and cubes, using different features to sort them.  Some of the ways we have sorted them are shapes that roll and shapes that do not roll as well as shapes that stack and shapes that do not stack.  Our sorts didn't all turn out the same as some students found clever ways to make things roll or stack.  These discrepancies added to our discussion and hopefully helped deepen understanding!