The same 3D shapes can be composed from different 2D nets | Maths

Starter quiz

Match the shape to the correct number of sides.

3

⇔

triangle ✓

4

⇔

parallelogram ✓

5

⇔

pentagon ✓

6

⇔

hexagon ✓

8

⇔

octagon ✓
Which of these shapes is a net?
Which of these could be the net of a cube?
Which 2D shapes would be required to form the net of a cylinder?

Circle ✓

Triangle

Rectangle ✓

Pentagon
This is a pentagonal prism. It would need two pentagons in its net. How many rectangles would it need?

'5' ✓
What needs to happen to this net to make it the net of a triangular prism?

Nothing. It is already the net of a triangular prism.

Add another rectangle. ✓

Add another triangle.

Remove a rectangle.

Exit quiz

Which of these statements is true?

All 3D shapes have a net. ✓

All 3D shapes have exactly one net.

It is possible for a 3D shape to have more than one net. ✓
Which of these statements is true?

Net a would form a triangular prism but net b would not.

Net b would form a triangular prism but net a would not.

Both nets would form a triangular prism. ✓
Which of these are nets for a triangular prism?
Look carefully at the net of the cube. Match the letters so that opposite faces of the cube are together.

a

⇔

d ✓

b

⇔

e ✓

c

⇔

f ✓
This is a net for a dice. Which face would have 2 spots?

Face a

Face b

Face c ✓

Face d

Face e
Which of these are nets of a cube?

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

A net is a 2D shape that can be folded and joined to create a 3D shape.
There can be more than one way to create a net for a given 3D shape.
Not all arrangements of shapes will form the net of a 3D shape.

Common misconception

It is perfectly possible for pupils to be highly numerate but struggle with the spatial awareness needed to visualise / imagine whether a 2D net will fold together to form a 2D shape.

As part of the lesson design process you may wish to incorporate manipulatives such as construction materials for those pupils whose learning needs scaffolding. As with all scaffolding, aim to move pupils away from this when you can.

Keywords

Net - A net is a 2D representation of the faces of a 3D shape, that can be folded up into the 3D object.