Comparing Objects Through Hands-On Block Building

Developing the ability to compare objects is an important early maths skill, helping students notice similarities and differences in size, shape, structure and quantity. Through practical exploration, students learn to describe and justify their observations using mathematical language.

This Block Building Partner Activity has been designed to support students as they build structures using a specified number of blocks or connecting cubes, then compare their creations with a partner. Students record how their structures are the same and how they are different, encouraging discussion, critical thinking and mathematical reasoning.

The resource includes:

• Build-and-create task cards featuring block quantities from 5–16.
• A partner recording sheet for drawing and comparing structures.
• Opportunities for collaborative discussion and mathematical vocabulary development.

By engaging with this activity, students practise comparing objects, identifying attributes of 3D structures and communicating their thinking in a meaningful, hands-on context.

3D Shapes Year 1: Creative Ways to Use This Resource

This block-building activity is a versatile addition to your 3D shapes Year 1 lessons and can be used in a variety of engaging ways across your maths program.

• Maths Detective Walk: Students observe displayed structures and record how they are similar or different.
• Builder and Reviewer Game: Partners build and compare structures, then discuss different ways to use the same number of blocks.

Teaching 3D Shapes Year 1 With Ready-to-Use Resources

Make teaching 3D shapes in Year 1 simple with this low-prep resource. Use the Download button to access the files and start building mathematical thinking straight away. This resource is available in both a ready-to-download PDF and an editable Google Slides version for easy customisation. Please note that you will be prompted to make your own copy of the Google Slides file before accessing it.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a TeachStarter collaborator.

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