Year 6 Investigate Cubes

Working in pairs, the Year 6 pupils explored how many different ways a cube could be constructed using nets. To begin, they were given a selection of possible nets and asked to examine them carefully to identify which ones would create a cube and which could be ruled out.

The pupils were encouraged to develop their own mathematical questions and reasoning when deciding whether a net would work. For example, they considered the fact that a cube must have six faces and used this as an initial way of excluding unsuitable options. They then explored how the arrangement and position of the six faces affected whether the net could be folded successfully to form a cube.

Once they had investigated the given examples, the pupils began creating their own cube nets, challenging themselves to find as many different combinations as possible. They tested their ideas by cutting, folding and constructing the nets, allowing them to see first-hand which designs worked and which did not.

The pupils particularly enjoyed testing their partners’ nets and recording their findings. This practical, collaborative approach encouraged them to explain their reasoning, compare different solutions and learn from one another. Constructing and physically testing the different nets also helped the pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the properties of a cube and the questions they needed to ask themselves when deciding whether a particular net would successfully form a cube.

The activity provided an engaging opportunity for the pupils to combine mathematical reasoning with problem-solving and creativity, while developing their confidence in explaining and justifying their ideas.