Warm Up Paco and Rubinson were working to find the volume of a rectangular prism during math class, but they disagreed on how to find volume. The dimensions were 5 inches in length, 2 inches in depth, and 4 inches in width. Paco suggested that they draw a picture of the rectangular prism, find the area of all sides then add them together. Rubinson said they should multiply 5 x 2 x 4. Which student’s strategy would provide the correct answer? Why?

Volume Stations I have placed your rectangular prisms you brought from home in different stations around the room Today you will move through stations to experiment with finding volume of rectangular prisms using different materials. I will not tell you how to use these materials. You will need to figure this out on your own. Let‘s review the tasks you will complete in your stations today.

Finding the Volume of an Object Task Card #1 Materials and Tools: rectangular prism ruler and measuring tape string calculator Directions: Find the volume of your rectangular prism using the tools you have been provided. Record your work and findings on Blackline Master “Volume of a Figure Recording Sheet”. Prepare to share the way you found the volume with the rest of the class. You will need to think of answers to the following questions: What worked well with your tools and ideas? What made finding the volume difficult? How precise was your method? 3. If you finish before time is called, you may choose another object you can find around the classroom to calculate the volume.

Finding the Volume of an Object Task Card #3 Materials and Tools: rectangular prism Centimeter cubes calculator Directions: Find the volume of your rectangular prism using the tools you have been provided. Record your work and findings on Blackline Master “Volume of a Figure Recording Sheet”. Prepare to share the way you found the volume with the rest of the class. You will need to think of answers to the following questions: What worked well with your tools and ideas? What made finding the volume difficult? How precise was your method? We are skipping station #2 because it deals with packing materials…if you can be creative and think of another object we could fill the prisms with to find the volume, please share it with your teacher!! 

Finding the Volume of an Object Task Card #4 Materials and Tools: rectangular prism Packing materials calculator   Directions: Find the volume of your rectangular prism using the tools you have been provided. Record your work and findings on Blackline Master “Volume of a Figure Recording Sheet”. Prepare to share the way you found the volume with the rest of the class. You will need to think of answers to the following questions: What worked well with your tools and ideas? What made finding the volume difficult? How precise was your method?

Volume Stations There are six stations; however, the rectangular prisms are different at each station. You will have approximately 8 minutes at each station. When we finish, we will discuss our findings.

Math Talk What worked well? What did not? How precise was your method? Is there a better way? Which group had the best method? Why?

Homework Day 139, “Calculating Volume”