Here are some practice worksheets on surface area of different prisms and pyramids. Each worksheet contains practice problems and then an answer page. I will be posting worked out examples on how I do the problems in the near future.
I teach the method of breaking the 3D shapes into its sides which are simple geometric shapes and labeling them with dimensions from the original drawing and then solving for the area of each of the individual sides and finally adding up all those areas. I use this method because for most of the kids, this is their first time dealing with 3D shapes on paper only and many of them have a difficult time manipulating the drawings in their heads. By making them draw the different sides, including the ones they cannot see in the pictures, it helps them develop a spatial sense of a the physical 3D shape from just a 2D drawing. I understand that this method may not be the simplest or most direct method of calculating surface area, but I am trying to also teach about virtual spatial manipulation as well. I know there are formulas for calculating surface ares for pyramids and prisms, and I appreciate many of you for showing your kids that method. I just ask that you make sure your child understands how to view those shapes from different angles, and not rely on just the formulas to solve the problems.
Some of the classes got to the lesson on the 3D L Blocks and for some that was a very frustrating lesson because they were having a difficult time rotating the images in their heads to see and draw all the hidden sides. It just takes time and practice to master this concept, so please have your kids at least attempt one of the L block problems I included.
square prisms
rectangular prisms
triangular prisms
square pyramid
rectangle pyramid
triangular pyramid
L Blocks
let me know if you have any questions. I will be posting worked out examples soon.
