Using Geometric Nets to Understand 3-D Figures Worksheets
Geometric nets are two-dimensional shapes that can be folded to form a three-dimensional shape. The cool thing is that these nets can form just about any shape. You might be very familiar with them already and not even know it. Have you ever been to Burger King? Those flat paper crowns that they hand out are a blazing example of a geometric net. They give you a flat piece of paper, you can then fold it into a circle to make your crown. Geometric nets are great for molding structures and even constructing them. In the world of shipping, they are an important part of keeping costs down for companies. Introducing this concept to students helps them better under the concepts of volume and surface area because you are, in a way, taking up that space as you unfold these nets into their three-dimensional counterpart. These worksheets will first teach students how to recognize geometric nets and then we will advance into making your own.
Aligned Standard: Grade 6 Geometry - 6.G.A.4
- Nets in Shapes Step-by-step Lesson- I haven't seen nets in years. The standards based curriculum brought them back.
- Guided Lesson - I cover a lot of different shapes in this one. This is a great way to baby step into the skill.
- Guided Lesson Explanation - I tried to use as many shapes as possible.
- Practice Worksheet - I never thought of many of these shapes.
- Matching Worksheet - Another series of great shapes that we have to match. I like this one.
- Answer Keys - These are for all the unlocked materials above.
Homework Sheets
This was one of the coolest standards ever invented!
- Homework 1 - What shape will this net make? Some will surprise you, if you haven't seen them before.
- Homework 2 - What is the value of n? We know that a regular prism has 3 pairs of identical faces. Each face is a rectangle.
- Homework 3 - We can fold a net to make a 3-dimensional figure. This worksheets walks you through all the steps that are followed.
Practice Worksheets
These took me forever to design. I got the hang of it after a while though.
- Practice 1 - We throw you for a loop by asking you, "What is the volume of the shape?"
- Practice 2 - We will add the 6 faces together to find the surface area.
- Practice 3 - A pass through the process for you. Make everything fit just so.
Math Skill Quizzes
I would be very surprised if you ever saw a test at this level that didn't include this skill.
- Quiz 1 - This quiz covers all the major aspects that we have explored with this topic so far.
- Quiz 2 - We key in on the fundamental skill. Have the figure, make it happen for you.
- Quiz 3 - Make all the shapes for yourself. Remember that you are work with just two measurements to start.
How Are Geometric Nets Used to Understand 3-D Figures?
Understanding the two categories of shapes is very important for kids. There are only two fundamental categories of shapes that we come across in life, and these are two-dimensional or 2D, and three-dimensional or 3D. Rectangles, circles, squares, triangles, trapezium, rhombus, etc. are all examples of 2D shapes. Cube, cuboids, spheres, cylinders, and pyramids are examples of 3D shapes.
2D shapes only have a length and width, while 3D shapes have a length, width, and depth, as well. It is easy for the kids to understand 3D shapes through two-dimensional nets. These are geometrical nets that are made of basic 2D shapes and can be folded into 3D shapes.
Using a two-dimensional pattern to form a three-dimensional figure can clear the concepts of three-dimensional shapes that a lot of kids find it difficult to understand. We highly encourage students to have students create paper models using this concept. It will greatly help their depth perception and help them think geometrically. There are a ton of benefits to working with these models. When we talk about trying to help students see new angles, sides, and missing lengths in geometry this is where it all starts. Take a good look at all the shapes that we have found above in your worksheets they will truly help you understand these abstract skills much better.