12 No-Prep 3D Isometric Drawing Printables for Elementary & Middle School

12 Fun No-Prep Worksheets for PLTW, Math Centers, Makerspaces and Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Isometric sketching, or drawing, is an essential part of the engineering design and modeling process. It is the art and skill of expressing three-dimensional ideas in representational sketches that communicate those ideas to other people.

An isometric view is a conceptual 3D drawing of an object, with each dimension separated by 120 degrees. This is easily done using special lined or dotted isometric grid paper.

Isometric sketching is far simpler than perspective drawing. Even very young students can produce realistic looking 3D drawings with ease--NO MATH REQUIRED.

How does it work?

A student can trace the grid lines to create the front, top, and side faces of a cube almost instantly. Once this simple skill is mastered, the cube can be expanded to a rectangle. Then several rectangles can be stacked together to form a set of stairs.

Improves spatial visualization skills

Learning to draw isometric 3D images provides any child—not just future engineers—with improved spatial visualization skills.

Read my post: 4 Brain-Boosting Reasons to Teach Kids Engineering Drawing—And Why Coding for Kids is Not Enough

Isometric drawing and the engineering design process

Many steps in the engineering design process rely on some form of drawing, from labeled sketches to a presentation of the final solution. In fact, the NGSS engineering practices and disciplinary core ideas specify development of early skills in engineering drawing. For example:

• K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. (Grades K - 2)
• Science and engineering practices: Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool.
• Disciplinary core ideas: Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem's solutions to other people.

All these standards can be achieved with the help of isometric drawing.

How to teach isometric drawing

These worksheets require little-to-no teacher input. They can be used in a math center, a Makerspace, or in a project-based learning (PBL) classroom.

Once the core concept and skill of isometric drawing has been learned and practiced with these worksheets, students will be ready for digital resources, such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics interactive online isometric drawing tool.

This product provides 11 self-explanatory worksheets, plus an isometric graph sheet to use as a template for student projects:

1. Drawing ice cubes
2. Drawing a set of stairs
3. Drawing a gerbil cage
4. Drawing skyscrapers
5. Drawing a chair (part I)
6. Drawing a chair (part II)
7. Drawing a bed
8. Drawing a table and chairs
9. Challenge: Drawing a bedroom
10. Challenge: Drawing your name
11. Challenge: Drawing a slide lock
12. Isometric graph template to create your own worksheets

This product is part of a 3-part series on Engineering Drawing. The other two products in the series are:

How to Draw Like an Engineer - Part I

How to Draw Like an Engineer - Part II

For a great follow-up isometric drawing lesson, you may like:

No-Prep 3D Isometric Christmas Designs for Engineering, Math Centers, or PBL

Isometric Drawing Worksheets for Middle School - Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Click the green button next to my photo to follow me on TPT for product updates and sales!

For more information and STEM and STEAM education ideas, follow me:

On my blog

On Instagram

On Pinterest

On Facebook

If you found this product helpful, be sure to leave a review - you'll receive credits toward future TPT purchases. I appreciate it!