EXPLORING SPATIAL REASONING

Building physical models is a natural activity for children and provides a context for lessons on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shapes. Creating these shapes with SketchUP Make, a widely popular program with architects, video games designers, model builders and digital printing enthusiasts helps students as young as five and six years old gain meaningful experiences with 2D and 3D shapes. Among other things, identification of shapes as well as modeling through building and drawing are specifically addressed in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM).