Hexominoes 1 - Learning can be fun

What is this lesson about
Students will use squares (these could be square tiles or Triqo pieces) to discover hexominoes
(shapes created by joining 6 squares along an edge). The students then use Triqo squares to
determine which squares fold to make cubes. Note this lesson may involve several sessions. The
first would involve finding all the hexominoes and the second would involve working out which
ones may be folded to make a cube.
Australian Curriculum Link
F
I
L
N
P
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Bring 2D
to life
with triqo
The grid above indicates that the lesson is designed to stimulate geometric problem solving
and reasoning. Specifically this lesson would fit the following content from the Australian
Curriculum. ACMMG111: Connect three-dimensional objects with their nets and other twodimensional representations.
Elaborations
• identifying the shape and relative position of each face of a solid to determine the net of the
solid, including that of prisms and pyramids
• representing two-dimensional shapes such as photographs, sketches and images created by
2
digital technologies
Assessment
National tests such as the NAPLAN often contain pictures of 2D nets
(the flat shape that may be folded to make a 3D object) and students
are asked to visualize which net folds to make a cube. Some questions
even ask the student to visualize which face will be opposite another
when the net is folded to make a cube.
Hannah folds this net to make a cube.
Which face is opposite face C (orange)?
A
B
C
D
E
F
triqo leskaart 02-w.indd 1
23-08-12 10:02
playing with
hexominoes
Introduction
1. Set the challenge to discover all the hexominoes. A hexomino consists of six squares
connected together so each square has at least one side in common with other square.
2. There are 35 hexominoes that can be made by joining six squares. Not all may be folded to
make a cube.
3. Use the square tiles to discover and make hexominoes.
4. Record each hexominoe on 10 mm grid paper (this may be used for assessment purposes).
5. Are there any duplications, reflections or rotations included?
6. Identify which hexominoes you think can be folded to make a cube.
7. Check your prediction using Triqo squares.
8. Record which ones fold to make a cube.
triqo leskaart 02-w.indd 2
23-08-12 10:02