Modeling Volume

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Author:

Erin Foerster

Subject:

Mathematics and Statistics

Institution Name:

LEARN NC

Collection:

LEARN NC Lesson Plans

Grade Level:

Primary, Secondary

Grade Sub-Level:

Middle School

Grades:

Grade 6, Grade 7

Abstract:

This activity helps the students see how the volume of something includes the third dimension (width or depth) which is different from area. This activity also helps the students "prove" that the volume formula actually works. Students will already know that the volume of a rectangular prism is found by multiplying the object's length, width, and height. By using the blocks as models of volume, the students should come to realize that volume can be calculated simply by multiplying the area of the base by the height of the rectangular prism. Thus, they will come to realize that there is no need to try and fill the entire box with the tiny 1cm cubes, they can simply fill the bottom (to see how many cubes are there) and figure out how many rows there will be and multiply.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Curriculum Standards, Lesson Plans

Media Format:

Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5