### Sponge Sections

You have been given three shapes made out of sponge: a sphere, a cylinder and a cone. Your challenge is to find out how to cut them to make different shapes for printing.

### Tangram Tangle

If you split the square into these two pieces, it is possible to fit the pieces together again to make a new shape. How many new shapes can you make?

### Paper Folding - Models of the Platonic Solids

A description of how to make the five Platonic solids out of paper.

# Four Layers

## Four Layers

This activity has been particularly created for the most able. (The pupils that you come across in many classrooms just once every few years.)

It may be used to follow on from  Cubes Here and There.

Looking at the three models here you may see that they have a lot in common although they are obviously different.
The things that are the same produce the rules.
So the rules are;
$1$/  Each colour stays at the same level in each model.
$2$/ Cubes of the same colour are not separated - they stay together.
$3$/ The numbers of cubes for each colour is fixed at $1, 2, 3$ and $4$.
$4$/ The cubes sit squarely face to face with no twists or slides.

Your challenge is to create more shapes that follow the four rules.
When you have done so, compare them and show similarities and differences.

### Why do this problem?

This activity challenges the most able pupils in their spatial awareness abilities. It also enables them to have something before them to explore and compare.

### Possible approach

As this is intended for the most able I would suggest printing out the activity and discussing together first of all.
You could get started by asking the group to give you instructions to make the second or third model. Then let them produce their creations.