Lessons
Plans that start from a real model
Each lesson opens its model in the maker: print the nets, build, and talk about what you made. Free to read and use. With the teacher plan, print worksheets with answer keys and assign lessons to a class.
Grades K–2
Grades 3–5
Coming soonWhich nets fold into a cube?Predict, then fold: find as many of the 11 cube nets as you can.Gr 3 · 40 min · CCSS 2.G.A.1Coming soonPrisms and pyramidsSort, build and count: the base shape names the solid, and the counts follow a pattern.Gr 3–5 · 45 minComing soonVolume of a boxFill a box you built with centimetre cubes, then find the shortcut: length × width × height.Gr 5–7 · 45 min · CCSS 5.MD.C.3Coming soonArea of a netA box's net is six rectangles in three matching pairs: add their areas.Gr 4–6 · 40 min · CCSS 4.MD.A.3Coming soonTop, front and side viewsBuild a blocky robot, then draw it from the top, the front and the side, and check by turning the 3D model.Gr 5–6 · 45 min
Grades 6–8
Surface area from a netUnfold a triangular prism and add the areas of two triangles and three rectangles.Gr 6 · 45 min · CCSS 6.G.A.4Coming soonEuler's formulaCount faces, edges and vertices of five solids and discover faces − edges + vertices = 2.Gr 7–8 · 30 minComing soonVolume of prismsBase area × length works for every prism: triangles, pentagons, hexagons.Gr 7 · 45 min · CCSS 7.G.B.6Scale and real sizePrint at real size and at a scale, measure, and see what doubling does to area and volume.Gr 7–8 · 50 min · CCSS 7.G.A.1Coming soonCylinders and conesBuild a cylinder and a cone with the same radius and height: the cone holds a third.Gr 7–8 · 50 min · CCSS 8.G.C.9Coming soonVolume and surface area of a houseA box with a prism roof: add the volumes, and find which faces still count once the parts are glued.Gr 7–8 · 50 min · CCSS 7.G.B.6Coming soonSurface area of a pyramidA square pyramid's net is a square and four triangles; the slant height, not the height, gives their area.Gr 6–8 · 45 min · CCSS 6.G.A.4Coming soonA pyramid holds a thirdFill a square pyramid with rice and pour it into a box with the same base and height: it takes three.Gr 7–8 · 45 minDesign a packageEvery box must hold 48 cm³: which shape uses the least card?Gr 6–8 · 50 min · CCSS 6.G.A.4
Projects
Coming soonBuild the steam trainA 1995 classic from TABS+: plan a multi-part build and assemble it as a team.Gr 4–8 · 2 periodsSculpt a solid of your ownStart from a box and drag its corners, push its faces and add blocks to turn it into a creature, a building or a gem, then print the net FoldNets works out.Gr 4–8 · 2 periods