- Definition
A cube is a 3D shape, like a dice or a building block, where all six sides are exactly the same size and are perfect squares.
A single die from a board game is a cube because all six of its sides are equal squares.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A cube is like a toy block or a die from a board game, where every side is a perfect square.
Ask your child: What things shaped like a block can you find around you?
Common mix-up: Kids often confuse a cube with a square. A square is a flat shape, but a cube is a solid object you can hold, like a box.
Examples
- A wooden alphabet block is a cube.
- A small, perfectly square gift box is a cube.
- An ice cube from a perfectly square tray.
cube is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
