Properties of shape - Construct 3D shapes​ - Worksheet

In this engaging lesson, Year 6 students delve into the world of geometry by constructing 3D shapes using hands-on materials. The National Curriculum objective is to make three-dimensional shapes using modelling materials, such as straws and Play-Doh. Students are encouraged to explore the properties of various shapes, including cubes, cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres. As they create these shapes, they are prompted to use precise mathematical language to describe the edges, faces, vertices, and curved surfaces of their models.

The lesson is structured around a series of key questions that challenge the children to think critically about the shapes they create. For example, they are asked to compare their shapes and discuss the roles of the construction materials: straws represent edges, while Play-Doh signifies vertices. The activity progresses with the construction of more complex shapes such as five-sided prisms and square pyramids, with children identifying these shapes from their nets. Additionally, the lesson includes reasoning and problem-solving tasks, where students must evaluate true or false statements about the properties of 3D shapes and rectify misconceptions, such as the number of straws and Play-Doh balls needed to construct a cube.