Grade 4 · Unit 6: Shape

3D shapes and nets

Visualise shapes from different views.

Packaging

Boxes, tubes and cartons are 3D shapes. Designers draw nets to make them. They also draw views from different sides.

Polyhedra

A polyhedron has only flat faces. Cubes, prisms and pyramids are polyhedra. Cylinders, cones and spheres have curved surfaces.

Nets of a cuboid

A cuboid net has 6 rectangles in 3 matching pairs. Opposite faces must not touch in the net. Imagine folding before you cut.

Plans and elevations

The plan is the view from above. The elevation is the view from the front or side. Architects use plans and elevations to design buildings.

11 nets of a cube

There are exactly 11 different nets that fold into a cube. Here are two of them. Can you find more on squared paper? Sketch 3D shapes from different directions: a cylinder looks like a rectangle from the side.

What I learnt

• I can identify polyhedra.
• I can draw and use nets.
• I can draw plans and elevations.