Surface Area of a Cylinder: "Dissection" Investigation
This hands-on, interactive investigation is a fun way for students to learn the concepts behind finding surface area for cylinders. The students work in pairs and “dissect” the cylinder to see the net. As they work, they record measurements and observations.
The students discover that the length of the rectangle is actually equal to the circumference of the two congruent circles. They are then led step-by-step to find the total area of the cylinder’s “skin.” Students must be able to find the area and circumference of a circle.
The activity is followed up with exit tickets and a practice sheet that can be used as classwork or homework after the activity.
Here is what's included:
- Two page dissection activity (option of color or black and white)
- Cylinder net (must be assembled)
- Exit ticket
- Practice worksheet
- Teacher directions and answer keys
To make the activity even more fun, set up the tables like a science dissection lab – Styrofoam trays, tweezers, and sewing scissors work perfectly. Set out some push pins and let students pin the paper to the tray to flatten out the net. The lesson will be memorable, and they will remember what students tend to forget: The length of the rectangle is equal to the circumference of the circle!
Reviews from other Math Teachers:
- This activity was so much fun! The students learned a lot without knowing they were "doing Math". I really built it up as a dissection project with safety goggles, etc. just as you suggested! This activity was used at the beginning of school, 2019.
- So much fun! I love the tweezers and foam trays idea, and the clever way the text is written to sound like science class. My students always seem to have trouble visualizing surface area, and this "lab" will help them see it for themselves. I've used plastic net models as demos, but this is so much more engaging. (I see other "dissections" in our future. Watch out, Prism Rectangularus, you're next!)
- After last year, I knew I needed resources that were more hands-on. This will be very useful to help my students understand the formula.
- I LOVED THIS RESOURCE. I'm 100% using it next year. I set up the lab like the resource suggested with scalpels, styrofoam trays, and pins. Not only was that cool and unique, but the lesson itself guided students really well into discovering the formula for the surface area of cylinder for themselves. Buy this resource right now, you won't regret it!
- I did a room transformation with this activity before the pandemic. The students loved it! It was a great memory to have with my students before they went virtual and quarantined for a year.
- Perfect for my Pre-Algebra students. This is such a hard concept for them and this activity will really help them visualize surface area. Thanks!
- This is awesome because when I taught it I just used a mutilated Pringles can to show them the difference between surface area and volume of a cylinder, but it was rather difficult to lay the can flat after cutting it. This allows them to discover the property on a more individual basis though because I couldn't eat enough Pringles to provide a can per pair so we just discussed as a group and I modeled.
- This assignment worked very well and was a fun approach to the hard concept of surface area. Thank you.
- My students enjoyed dissecting the cylinder, it was the perfect way for my students to explore the surface area of cylinders. Thank you!
- My students absolutely loved this hands on experience for math and were really engaged for this lesson. Great resource!
- Had so much fun with this activity! The kids kept calling themselves doctors all period! Hilarious!
- Finding the surface area of a cylinder can be so tough for students. This discovery really helped my students figure out that the length of the rectangle is equivalent to the circumference of the circle! They had so much fun dissecting the cylinder!