Nets
This list of resources is all about nets in a practical manner. It is suitable for all of KS3 as the work can easily be differentiated. I would suggest a couple of lessons each on Packaging and Building a Town as there is so much scope there for the pupils to do so much. The careers link can be woven into both of these with a different career being highlighted each lesson.
Packaging
This resource is a fantastic hands-on way of approaching nets. There are 3 different activities, each harder than the previous. The first challenges pupils to work out what the net actually folds up to make as the outline of the net is provided, but the pupils have to work out where to make the scores and cuts. Then they need to work out how to produce a design on the different faces so the design makes sense when folded up. The second activity starts off easy enough with pupils cutting out and making a box from a net for a chocolate, but then the pupils are challenged to adapt the net so that the box now holds 4 chocolates. The final activity is the net of a carrier bag, looking at how it folds up, easier said than done.
Building a Town
This resource is fantastic! Pupils work in groups to design and build a 3D town. Pupils can first design a building using multilink to help and then need to work out the net of their building, before cutting it out and sticking it together. This provides plenty of scope for creativity and free thinking and differentiation. Pupils could produce 3D poster models for the wall of their towns.
STEM Choices: a Resource Pack
This resource is not an activity for pupils. Choose the file on the architect. It provides lots of careers information about people who use 3D shape skills in their work, such as architects. There is lots of information here so you could highlight a different career each lesson.
