Explore cross sections of 3D shapes with an engaging teaching slide deck that helps students investigate, predict and explain cross-sections while building an understanding of right prisms.
Cross Sections of 3D Shapes Teaching Slides for Year 6 Maths
Understanding cross sections of 3d shapes helps students connect 2D and 3D geometry concepts. In this lesson, students explore how cross-sections change depending on how an object is sliced and discover why cross-sections cut parallel to the base of a right prism are identical to the base.
This teaching slide deck guides students through cross-section investigations, prediction tasks, reasoning challenges and right prism explorations. Designed for whole-class instruction, it provides plenty of opportunities for discussion, problem-solving and mathematical thinking.
For added engagement, pair the lesson with hands-on materials such as playdough, modelling clay or kinetic sand. Students can build 3D shapes and physically slice them throughout the lesson, helping them visualise how different cuts create different cross-sections.
3D Shapes Cross Sections Activities for Flexible Classroom Use
This resource can be used in a variety of engaging ways throughout your geometry unit:
- Playdough Investigation – Have students build and slice 3D shapes to test their cross-section predictions.
- Mystery Cross-Section Challenge – Show students a cross-section and have them identify possible 3D shapes that could have created it.
- Real-World Geometry Hunt – Ask students to find everyday objects and predict the cross-sections that different cuts would create.
These activities encourage hands-on learning while strengthening spatial reasoning and mathematical vocabulary.
Download These Cross Sections 3D Shapes Teaching Slides
This resource is available as and an editable PowerPoint File and Google Slides version. Simply download your preferred format and start teaching.
Please note that you will be prompted to make your own copy of the Google Slides file before accessing and editing it.
This resource was created by Alyssa Peterson, a TeachStarter collaborator.
More Cross Sections of 3D Shapes Resources
Check out more cross-sections and 3D geometry activities below!
Teach cross-section of 3D shapes concepts with a differentiated worksheet pack that helps students analyse, draw and identify cross-sections through a variety of engaging geometry activities. Explore 3D shapes cross sections with a hands-on task card activity that encourages students to build, slice, predict and record the cross section of a 3D shape using playdough models. Learn about right prisms and their cross-sections with this informative classroom poster.
teaching resource
Cross Section of 3D Shapes Worksheet Pack
teaching resource
3D Shapes Cross Sections Building Mat with Task Cards
teaching resource
Right Prisms and their Cross-Sections Poster
0 Comments
Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you'd like to request a change to this resource, or report an error, select the corresponding tab above.