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Face Painting


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Let's Face It


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Cubic Conundrum

Which of the following cubes can be made from these nets?

Christmas Presents


Christmas Presents







We are just concerned with its shape:-




So you may decide on something like this:-



Now you find the rest!

Remember to avoid reflections or turning over!



How many different shapes of paper can be used this time?

Try to find them all.






Why do this problem?

This activity is very good for introducing the concept of surface area. Being very practical it helps pupils to understand the ideas before looking at any kind of formulae. It also widens the pupils' experiences of nets.

Possible approach

I would recommend that the activity is presented to the whole class as suggested with ideas explored together before the pupils go to explore on their own or in twos.

Key questions

Tell me about your shape.
Have you checked to see if your paper shape works? (it's good to ask this even when you can see it's a good one!)

Possible extension

Children can alter the shape of the present, for example, a kind of cuboid shape with a hole down the middle or a cylinder.

Possible support

There may be a need for help with the pupils with fine motor skill problems.