- Definition
A face is simply one of the flat sides of a 3D shape, like the front of a box.
The square side of a cube is one of its six faces.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A face on a shape is like the flat side of a toy block you can press your hand against.
Ask your child: How many flat sides can you count on this box?
Common mix-up: Kids might confuse a shape's face with a human face. A math face is any flat surface on an object, like the side of a box, not a curved part or a corner.
Examples
- The rectangular sides of a cereal box are its faces.
- A pyramid has triangular faces and a square face on the bottom.
- A soup can has two circular faces, one on top and one on bottom.
face is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 5 The Arts
- Grade 6 The Arts
- Grade 3 Mathematics
- Grade 6 Mathematics
- Grade 2 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 4 Health and Physical Education
+1 more mention across the curriculum
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 ↗
