Unit/Lesson Title Stage: 3 Lesson duration: 50 minutes Class/Group: 5/6c

Toothpick sculptures Year:

Rationale Syllabus Outcomes Syllabus Content

This activity will allow students to consider mathematical MA3-3WM create skeletal models of prisms and
concepts without the pressure of being in a strictly mathematics pyramids, eg using toothpicks and
focussed environment. Students will also be able to experiment modelling clay or straws and tape
with structural integrity and shapes that form three dimensional connect the edges of prisms and
objects. pyramids with the construction of their
skeletal models (Problem Solving

Prior Knowledge Risk Assessment Resources

Understanding of some 3D shapes. Choking on toothpicks 2 Large packs of toothpicks
Puncturing self with toothpicks Playdoh
Specific Teaching Target (identified from previous teaching and related to presence in the classroom; classroom management etc.)

Learning Intentions Time Guide Content/Learning Experience Teaching Class Organisation Assessment
(precise indicators) Introduction (Engagement) Strategies Grouping and Techniques
Intro: 10 minutes The teacher will demonstrate the two basic classroom Summative
shape that will be used for this activity: Cooperative environment Presentation of the
Body: 20 minutes equilateral triangles and squares. learning arch, aimed
The teacher will also outline the objective of Demonstration The class will be towards:
Conclusion: 20 this task, which is to create the best Critical thinking split into randomly Difficulty of the
minutes freestanding toothpick sculpture of an arch, selected groups of structure to
being marked on: 3-4 students. create
Difficulty of the structure to create Uniformity of
Uniformity of the shapes used the shapes used
Creativity and style Creativity and
Body style
(Exploration/Transformation/Presentation)
Participation in the activity.
The task will be timed and students will
have 20 minutes in total to make their
structure.
Conclusion (Presentation/Reflection)
Students will present their arches and
explain to the class why theirs is deserving
of the first place prize (house points).