Super Structures

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Good Morning Everyone,

Last week we explored prisms and tried to determine their cross-sections. I have included the answers for your reference.

Cube

Cross Section: square

Rectangular Prism

Cross Section: rectangle

Triangular Prism

Cross Section: triangle

Pentagonal Prism

Cross Section: pentagon

Hexagonal Prism:

Cross Section: hexagon

Octagonal Prism

Cross Section: octagon

Well done to all those who participated. As you can see, prisms are usually named after their cross-section. Please take note that a rectangular prism is also commonly known as a cuboid.

Today I would like to focus our attention on another type of geometric solid called a pyramid.

Image and information taken from https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/pyramids.html

A pyramid is made by connecting a base to an apex. The base is a flat shape with straight edges (we call this type of shape a polygon). The apex is formed when all the other faces join together to form a point. These faces are always triangles.

Take a look at the following video to see a rotation of a pyramid. Notice that the base of this pyramid is square, and all the other faces are triangles.

Though all pyramids have a base and an apex, they don’t all look the same. The base of the pyramid can be one of a many shapes.

Take a look at the following chart.

Image Source: https://www.amazon.ca/Teacher-Created-Resources-Shapes-Chart/dp/B00207S3Z0

In your Response Booklet, write the title Bases of Pyramids. Copy down the name of each shape and then determine if it would make a good base for a pyramid. You can simply write the words yes or no.  When you are done, examine the shapes you said no to. Explain why you think they would not work. I will post the answers next week.

Art

It has been several weeks since we decorated our rocks and found special spots for them. I thought once again we could get outside and use nature to inspire our art. Today we will be exploring Mandalas. A Mandala is art made by using are a series of circles. We will be creating ours using a variety of objects from nature. Take a look at these examples for a better idea.

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ldhphotography/7349705232/in/photostream
Image Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/fresh-modern-still-life-photography

 

Image Source: https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/deco/loisirs-creatifs/mandalas-nature-serenite-land-art-42325
Image Source: https://louisegale.com/2013/04/monday-mandala-7/

How to make your own Mandala:

(These instructions were taken and modified where needed from playfullearning.net. For further information click here.)

  1. Start your circle in an area which will allow your art work to grow, such as a beach, field or grassy area. You can also do this project at home, but it would be a wonderful gift to leave your art in nature for people to enjoy.
  2. Once you have determined your area, gather your materials. Please remember to be gentle and respectful of living things.
  3. Choose the central piece for your art work and place it in the middle of your working area.  You may want to select a large, singular item.
  4. Choose another collection and form a ring around the central piece much like a tree ring.  This may be a circle of shells surrounding a central coral piece, or pine cones surrounding a large flower.  The main focus here is to make sure you make a complete ring around the first piece, therefore the inner piece is completely contained inside the outer circle.
  5. Continue this pattern adding new circles made out of different items until you believe your piece is complete.

Please keep in mind that these Mandalas are meant to be temporary. There is no glue or adhesive to be used. Be sure to take a photo to make a lasting memory of your project and send it in to share on the blog. Good luck and have fun. I know that people will be just as excited to come across your Mandalas as they were your rocks!

Have a great day everyone. I will see you back here on Friday.

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