Create a 3D Pyramid

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In Geometry, students have such a hard time visualizing the different parts of 3-dimensional shapes.  My students always had a particularly hard time with pyramids.  This cool trick really helps - and all you need is an envelope.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope

First, you need an envelope.  You want the smaller kind, not the long type.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Fold the envelope in half one direction, then the other direction.  You're trying to create a nice crease along the middle.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Fold the envelope so that the sticky side is facing out.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Cut along the edge of the flap.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Throw the top part away.  Open the fold and make sure everything is cut nicely.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Fold the points down to the middle crease.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Open up the folds.  Carefully pinch the middle and tuck one side inside of the other.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

You should be left with a pyramid.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

Now that the pyramid is folded, open it back up so that you can label all the faces.  Label each side like the pictures below.

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize

When it's folded back up, all the parts of the pyramid are labeled!

How to Create a 3D Pyramid Out of an Envelope - great for helping Geometry students visualize


One of the things I really like about this pyramid is that it can be folded an unfolded as needed.  Students can keep it in an interactive notebook or in a pocket of a binder.

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