- Definition
A prism is a 3D shape, like a box or a Toblerone bar, that has two identical ends (called bases) that are connected by flat sides. You name a prism by the shape of its ends, so a box is a rectangular prism and a Toblerone bar is a triangular prism.
A cereal box is a rectangular prism because its top and bottom are matching rectangles.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A prism is like a building block where the top and bottom are the exact same shape.
Ask your child: Look at this box. How are the top and bottom the same?
Common mix-up: Kids may think a prism comes to a point at the top. A prism has a matching shape on both the top and the bottom.
Examples
- A building block is often a rectangular or square prism.
- A Toblerone candy box is a triangular prism.
prism 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 ↗
