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Math 5 - Act. 19: Prisms, Pyramids, and Nets

Group Size

Small Groups

Authors

Utah LessonPlans

Summary

Students willl discover how many faces, edges, and vertices on a prism and a pyramid.


Materials

Attachments

  • Solid figures of prisms and pyramids
  • Nets which cover the prisms and pyramids
  • Graph paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Solid colored paper, two contrasting colors
  • Ruler
  • Marshmallows or gumdrops (not too fresh)
  • Toothpicks


Background for Teachers

Each geometric solid has a flat side called a face. They have edges which connect the faces. The corners are known as vertices (plural), or vertex (singular).

A jacket for a geometric solid that can be folded to cover the surface of the solid is called a net. A net is a way of representing the polyhedron in two dimensions.


Intended Learning Outcomes

2. Become mathematical problem solvers.


Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Divide the class into four groups. Give groups A and B a sheet of the same colored paper. Give groups C and D a sheet of the contrasting paper. Have groups A and B measure and cut a rectangle that is 2” by 3.” Have group C cut 2 rectangles that measure 2” by 4.” Have group D cut 2 rectangles that measure 3” by 4.” Collect all six sides and tape them together to form a rectangular prism. Point out the faces, vertices and edges of the figure. Ask the students to identify the shape of each of the faces. Are all of the faces alike? In table form, have them record the numbers of faces, edges, and vertices.

Instructional Procedures

  1. Give each group a supply of marshmallows and toothpicks. Have them design a jacket (net) that would go around the outside of the prism to protect it.
  2. Have them try their jacket on the solid figure and adjust as necessary.
  3. When they have a jacket that encloses the prism, have them unhook a few of the vertices and lay the net out flat.
  4. Have the students record the number of faces, vertices, and edges in a table.
  5. Using the graph paper, draw the design of the marshmallow/toothpick structure.
  6. Repeat the process for a pyramid.


Extensions

Possible Extensions/Adaptations
Have students construct or design nets for other polyhedra. Add their edge/vertex/face information to the chart and look for a pattern to predict additional information. Let the students discover the equation “face + vertex - 2 = edges” using leading questions such as:

  1. Find the sum of the number of faces and vertices.
  2. Compare this with the number of edges. What is the difference?
  3. Add the sum of faces/vertices for other shapes. What is that difference?
  4. Can you write an equation that would fit this problem?

Home/Family Connections
Students and their families can construct a variety of polyhedron nets at home.


Created: 09/03/2003
Updated: 02/05/2018
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