Math and Origami

For hands on learning fun- explore shapes through origami! This cube teaches symmetry, triangles, rectangles, squares and parallelograms. For upper grades, measure the cube's dimensions and/or extend this lesson as a surface area lesson.

You will need six pieces of construction paper, cut into squares. I usually use 12 x 12 pieces of paper. Colors do not matter, you can use six different colors if you would like but the product looks best when only three colors are used. ​

Step 1: Get Your PaperTo make one cube, you need 6 sheets of square paper.
Step 2: Fold the Paper in Half Horizontally and Unfold
Step 3: Fold the Bottom Edge to the Crease You Just Made
Step 4: Do the Same With the Top Edge
Step 5: Fold the Bottom Right Corner Up
Step 6: Fold the Top Left Corner Down
Step 7: Unfold the Corners
Step 8: Unfold the Top Edge
Step 9: Using the Existing Crease, Fold the Top Right Corner Along the Line.
Step 10: Fold the Edge Back Down
Step 11: Unfold the Bottom Edge
Step 12: Again, Using the Existing Crease, Fold the Bottom Left Corner Along the Line.
Step 13: Fold the Bottom Edge Back Up
Step 14: Unfold the Top Edge Again
Step 15: Using the Existing Crease, Fold the Bottom Right Corner Up
Step 16: Fold the Top Edge Back Down
Step 17: Make a Pocket for the Top Left Corner to Go In, As Shown
Step 18: Slide the Top Left Corner InStep 19: Turn the Paper Over
Step 20: Fold the Bottom Corner Up
Step 21: Fold the Top Corner Down
Step 22: The First Unit Is Done.
Step 23: Now Follow These Steps to Make 5 More Units
Step 24: Connect the Units.
​Step 25: Your Cube Is Finished!