Knowing how a three-dimensional shape is made from two-dimensional shapes is essential for every aspect of three-dimensional design.
All three-dimensional shapes are made up of two-dimensional shapes, and a net is exactly the shape formed when any 3D shape is unfolded. There can be more than one net for any 3D shape.
This teaching guide helps simplify the complex topic of nets of 3D shapes further for children through interesting posters and worksheets along with an engaging activity.
A net is a two-dimensional skeletal outline that may be folded to create three-dimensional shapes. These are just a few examples of 3D shapes and their corresponding nets in primary math.
Cube :
- A cube has 6 faces.
- A cube consists of 6 square faces that are connected together.
- When a cube is unfolded it will give 6 squares.
- All faces are congruent and perpendicular to each other.
- There are 11 nets in a cube.
Cuboid Or Rectangular Prism :
- A cuboid comprises 6 faces.
- All 6 faces of the cuboid are rectangles.
- When a cuboid is unfolded it will give 6 rectangles.
- Opposite faces are congruent and parallel to each other.
- There are 54 different nets of the cuboid.
Cylinder :
Bases are congruent and parallel circles, while the curved surface connects the bases.
- A cylinder is made up of 3 faces.
- Out of the 3 faces of a cylinder, two are circular bases and one is a curved surface.
- Two of the faces are circular and one is rectangular.
- When a cylinder is unfolded it will give 2 circles and 1 rectangle.
Cone :
- The cone has 2 faces. One is a curved face and the other is a flat face.
- A net of cones has two parts: One is the circle which represents the flat part. The second one is the sector which represents the curved part.
- When a cone is unfolded it will give one circle and one sector that tapers to a single point called the apex.
Sphere :
- A sphere is a perfectly symmetrical 3D shape that has no flat surface.
- It has all points equidistant from the center.
- When a sphere is unfolded, it will give a continuous curve.
Teaching 3D shape nets with kid-friendly, clear, and easy-to-understand posters from Uncle Math School by Fun2Do Labs :
Ignite kids’ curiosity with engaging stories for role play and skits, making the learning of this concept an exciting and effective experience. Teaching 3D shape nets through stories from Uncle Math School by Fun2Do Labs :
Learning 3D shape nets can be made enjoyable by incorporating interactive games and activities.
3D Pop Up Nets!
Children enjoy doing this activity as it sparks their craft ideas. For this activity, children need colourful sheets, scissors, a ruler and a pencil.
- Instruct kids to draw nets on a sheet of paper using a ruler and a pencil by taking proper measurements.
- Cut the shapes and fold together to form the respective 3D shapes.
