Curated OER
A Cone and Its Net
Create and investigate nets for solid shapes with your class. They identify the different parts and faces of each polygon and solid then calculate the surface area and volume of cones. They use circle sectors of varying sizes to build...
EngageNY
How Do 3D Printers Work?
If we stack up all the cross sections of a figure, does it create the figure? Pupils make the connection between the complete set of cross sections and the solid. They then view videos in order to see how 3D printers use Cavalerie's...
World Wildlife Fund
Shapes
Investigate the properties of three-dimensional figures with this Arctic-themed math instructional activity. Beginning with a class discussion about different types of solid figures present in the classroom, young mathematicians are then...
Curated OER
Poly-Mania
This hands-on activity takes young geometers on a tour of 2D polygons and 3D polyhedrons. After exploring different web resources and discussing geometric shapes, small groups construct models of polyhedrons using bendable straws. Note:...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Designing a 3d Product in 2d: a Sports Bag
Sew up pupil interest with an engaging, hands-on lesson. Learners first design a sports bag given constraints on the dimensions of fabric. They then evaluate provided sample responses to identify strengths and weaknesses of included...
Curated OER
2D Polygons and 3D Nets
Learners compare and contrast two dimensional polygons and three dimentional nets by examining the differences in drawings. They create three dimensional shapes and label the faces, edges, and vertices. After creating the shapes, they...
Curated OER
Guess My Shape
Learners play a game with shapes. They work in groups to identify the names and characteristics of various shapes. They give each other clues to see if others can identify the shape being described. This is a great hands on activity.
Curated OER
Living in a Geometrical World
Students participate in a series of hand-on, online, and multimedia activities to examine 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes. They describe common geometric solids. They construct rectangular prisms using straws and ribbon.
Curated OER
Polydron Fun
Learners investigate nets as they relate to volume and area. In this geometry lesson plan, students use nets as a visual to deepen their understanding of surface area and volume of objects. They make conjectures about different objects...
Common Sense Media
Identifying High-Quality Sites
Use a Huffington Post article focused on false pictures of Hurricane Sandy to launch a discussion about the reliability of online information. Groups compare and contrast how print and broadcast media regulate...
Curated OER
B-movies and Plot: Story Elements, Writing, Media
Pupils use old "B-Movies" as a springboard to discuss and analyze traditional plot structures. They form groups and make their own 'movie' to demonstrate their knowledge.
Curated OER
San Diego Architecture
Eighth graders study the cultural and architectural history of San Diego. After study they create a design of a home based of features from historical and modern homes found in their research.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: 3 D Figures and Nets
Sixth graders explore cube nets in an effort to understand what properties are common to all nets that form a cube. Students work hands-on with nets and are then pushed to use their experience to visually determine whether other nets...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Shape Changing With the Cyber Squad
In this project, you will make 2-dimensional templates, called nets, that fold up into 3-dimensional (3-D) shapes. By making shapes of different sizes, you will be able to see how 3-D shapes change with size. In your findings you will...
PBS
Pbs: Mathline: Let's Face It [Pdf]
Check out this math project about polyhedra! Students will enjoy the hands-on activity while they learn about tetrahedrons, hexahedrons, octahedrons, dodecahedrons, and icosahedrons. [Requires Adobe Reader.]