Calculating area of surface of three dimensional shapes

1) Introduction

There are various topics in Mathematics such as Fractions, Algebra, Statistics,

calculus, shape and space, probability, trigonometry, vector scale and geometry

coordinate. Based on the various topics stated, I am going to conduct research on the

topic shape and space. The aspect that I am going to do research is on calculating area

of surface of three dimensional shapes.

2) Problem in understanding the concept

I am going to conduct research on this aspect because I know that students who

are studying in Year 6 in primary school are finding difficulties to calculate volume of

three dimensional shapes. Besides that, they did not also understand the concept of

three dimensional shapes and the formula to use in calculation.

3) How to understand the concept

Firstly, we must master the concept of three dimensional shapes. This is

because, calculation the area of surface only can be done after we had mastered the

concept of three dimensional shapes. After that, we must know the formula of the area

for each three dimensional shapes and the way to use the formula. For example, to

calculate area of rectangles and square, we must use length multiply by breadth. For

circle, the formula of area is 2πr where r is the radius of the circle. We also know that

the three dimensional shape is the combination of two dimensional shapes. So, in a

three dimensional shape have more than two pieces of two dimensional shape. It’s

mean that we must calculate one by one and after that we add up all the area of the two

dimensional shapes and it will become the area of a three dimensional shape.

4) How to teach three dimensional shapes effectively

 Based on this research, I have found the best solution to make learning process

easier for the students. The first way is using the teaching aid such as geometrical

block. In fact, learning process will be easy for primary school students if they are using

concrete method. This fact is taken from the Jean Piaget cognitive theory. When the

student can see and touch the concrete method such as geometry block, they can see

the combination of the two dimensional shapes in a single three dimensional shape. So

they can use their previous knowledge to calculate the area of the three dimensional

shape. For example, if the students have a cube block, they will see how the cube

exists. They know a cube exists from combination of six square. Automatically, they

know how to calculate the area of the cube. If the teacher does not use the block,

students are finding difficulties to imagine how the cube look like and it will make the

calculation of the area become so hard. Besides that, teachers also can use thing

around in our daily life such as paper box, water container, birthday hat and ice cream

cone as a teaching method in class. For example, students can measure the length and

breadth of the paper box themselves and make the calculation to get the area of paper

box. Automatically, students can relate and apply mathematic knowledge in their daily

life.

The other way to solve problems in calculating area of three dimensional shapes

is using computer software. The software can help student to build their imagination of

three dimensional shapes. For example, teachers can use mathematic wheel in

teaching their student. Mathematic wheel have same concept with potter’s wheel. The

software will spin the 2 dimensional shape to become a three dimensional shape. For

example, if spin a rectangle in 360°, it will become a cylinder. The software can

separate the cylinder into two different shapes which are two pieces of circle and a
piece of rectangle. So, the students can calculate the area of surface for the cylinder

easily. On the other hand, teacher also must attract the student’s attention by

demonstrate the practical applications of three dimensional shape and make the three

dimensional shapes relevant to daily life. Students usually attracted to something that

they can use and meaningful for them. For example, teachers can ask the students to

measure the area of their pencil case, toys and many more.

5) Conclusion

As a conclusion, three dimensional shapes is not a very difficult subject for

students but I need a new style in teaching and make the lesson interesting and

meaningful. Teachers should study varieties of teaching style to make sure students can

master this topic because this topic is very important in future study.

IPGM KAMPUS
PULAU PINANG
 ENGLISH
LANGUAGE
PROFICIENCY
‘SHAPE AND SPACE’
-THREE DIMENSIONAL SHAPE-
NAME: NOR MUHAMAD
ASHRAF BIN MUSA
CLASS: 1MTED3
I/C NUMBER: 890716-09-5031
TEL NUMBER: 017-2372346
LECTURER’S NAME: MR.
GANESAN A/L KUPPUSAMY