Revealing New Shapes Through Cutting
In this worksheet, students perform a short experiment by cutting a cylinder to see the 2D shape that appears in the cross-section.
This worksheet is part of a larger unit designed to enhance understanding of 3D shapes for students in Year 6.
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Learning goals
- We are learning to compare the parallel cross-sections of objects and recognise their relationships to prisms.
- We are learning to construct simple prisms and pyramids.
Curriculum alignment
MA3-1WM
old
Describes and represents mathematical situations in a variety of ways using mathematical terminology and some conventions
MA3-14MG
old
Identifies three- dimensional objects, including prisms and pyramids, on the basis of their properties, and visualises, sketches and constructs them given drawings of different views
MA3-2DS-01
new
Investigates and classifies two-dimensional shapes, including triangles and quadrilaterals based on their properties
MA3-3DS-01
new
Visualises, sketches and constructs three-dimensional objects, including prisms and pyramids, making connections to two-dimensional representations
Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.
Differentiation
Modifications
Have students bring in bananas or carrots to complete this activity (bananas preferable, as they can be cut with disposable knives) or bring marshmallows for the students. Otherwise, students can create cylinders using Play-Doh, allowing them to experiment more with different cuts.