Archimedean Solids

I started with the Platonic solid - Tetrahedron.  When truncated it became an Archimedean solid - truncated tetrahedron.  

The tetrahedron is composed of 4 equilateral triangles.  When truncated those triangles became 4 congruent hexagons and 4 new congruent, equilateral triangles were formed.

 

The second shape I started with was the Platonic Solid – Cube.  When truncated it became the Archimedean Solid – truncated cube.

The cube is composed of 6 congruent squares.  When truncated those 6 squares became 6 congruent octagons and 8 new congruent, equilateral triangles were formed.

Middle school students can perform this task just as I did.  I would enlarge the templates so that they do not have to work with such small figures, but overall, I think that they could manage just fine. 

Most students will enjoy this activity.  You can allow them to decorate their solids as they wish.  Some students might get frustrated folding and cutting straight lines, but I’m certain that other students will be willing to offer a helping hand to those in need.  Any time that we can get away from book work and incorporate manipulatives in our classrooms, we will be more likely to captivate the attention of our students.