DIME 3-D Visualising & Thinking

Build-Up Project Pack

DIME investigation Geoff Giles
This major development is recognised as providing a valuable and enjoyable path to 3-D spatial skills. Based on practical activity in a problem-solving setting, it takes children swiftly from simple tasks in 2-D shape-fitting to building the solids shown in isometric 'picture views'. Each child works with some brightly coloured DIME solids through a series of booklets in which very few words are used, making this material especially suitable for poor readers. The nature of each task is self-evident and they gain immediate success. With the solid shapes to hand, they can easily see when they are right. The later booklets provide problems that most will find testing, but by working in sequence, spatial skills are gradually improved. The result is that a greater level of success is achieved than is expected at first. A Build-up Project pack provides all the material needed for a group of four or five children including a master copy of a sheet of 'Dotty Paper' which is used by the children to record their results. The 'Teacher's Guide' booklet, discusses the methods of using this material in the classroom as well as general points about the development of spatial skills. Contents of Build-up Project Pack:

• 1 box of DIME Solids
• 1 Build-up booklet 1
• 2 each of Build-up booklets 2 & 5
• 3 each of Build-up booklets 3 & 4
• 1 each of Build-up Wedges booklets 1 & 2
• 1 'Teacher's Guide' booklet
• 1 'Dotty Paper' sheet for duplicating

Price per pack £19.84 (inc. VAT)

Additional Booklets are available in packs of 10 copies of a title @ £4.90

1: Fill the Shape. 2: Add a Cube or Two. 3: Two Blocks. 4: More than two Blocks. 5: Build & Balance. W1: Wedges. 1 W2: Wedges 2.

3-D Sketching Project Pack

DIME investigation Geoff Giles
This project provides an excellent way of overcoming the difficulty pupils have with representing solid shapes on paper and understanding 3-D drawings. Each booklet directs attention to a different aspect of the topic, continuing and developing further the ideas introduced by the Build-Up project.
Each Pack provides material needed for a group of four or five children. Contents of 3-D Sketching Pack

• 1 box of DIME Solids
• 5 each of 3-D Sketching booklets 1 & 2
• 1 each of 3-D Sketching booklets 3, 4 & 5
• 10 3-D Sketching 25-Boards
• 2 Reflection Boards

Price per pack £19.24 (inc. VAT)

Additional Booklets are available in packs of 10 copies of a title @ £4.90

1: Recognising Solids. 2: Sketching Solids. 3: Turning & Toppling. 4: Reflections. 5: Wedges.

Tricube Puzzle Project

Tricubes are L-shaped pieces made from three cubes joined together and make a fine introduction to three-dimensional solids. It is explained how these solids can be represented as full-size plans, coded plans and isometric views and the puzzles test this knowledge and understanding. The project consists of a set of tricubes and a 48 page book of blackline masters.
Tricube Masters £4.90 (+VAT)
Box of Tricubes £10.95 (+VAT)

DIME Solids

This set consists of a storage box filled with 36 large colourful blocks in seven different shapes, cut from sturdy but soft Plastazote. This durable and colourful plastic material has a very attractive 'feel' which makes it very suitable for classroom activities. For very young children, these solids are very suitable for 'free-play' building, but their main purpose is to be used for the 'Build-Up' and '3-D Sketching' activities.
Price per box £10.95 (+ VAT)

Build-up Teachers Guids 60p