Lesson Plan
Lesson 2: Measuring Volume
A 60 minute lesson in which students will measure volumes of 3D objects using informal units.
Preparation
Equipment
- Small cubes or blocks
Lesson Plan
Tuning In
- Watch the Introducing Volume video on YouTube. Afterwards, show the students a small cube (such as a single unit MAB cube). Note that it is not required to know the dimensions of the cube at this stage of understanding, but it could be used to extend more able students.
- Using 12 small cubes, create the shape made in the video. Reinforce how to count the cubes to determine the volume of the object.
Teacher Instruction
- Place the students into pairs. Distribute 10 small cubes (MABs, unifix cubes, construction blocks) to each pair.
- Ask the students to connect 5 cubes to make a straight line or tower. Ask the class what the volume of the object is (5 cubes). Once the students have done this, ask them to rearrange the 5 cubes so that they are still connected, but form a different structure. Again, ask for the volume of the object. Reiterate that the volume of the object has not changed.
- Repeat this activity for other numbers of cubes, encouraging the students to express the volumes of the objects as a number of cubes.
Guided/Independent Learning
- Provide the students with a copy of the Measuring Volume Worksheet. Read through the instructions as a class and answer any questions the students may have.
- Monitor and support the students as they work through the measuring tasks independently. When completed, the students can work on the reflection questions.
- Gather the class together and invite the students to share their answers. Review the students’ responses to the reflection questions and discuss any discrepancies.
Wrapping Up
- Revise the concept of measuring volume, including key vocabulary, and check for any misconceptions.
Differentiation
Extending Students
- Encourage more capable students to recreate the shapes on the worksheet with their cubes and/or make different shapes with the same volumes.
Supporting Students
- Support less confident students to make concrete representations of the shapes to help them complete the worksheet.
Assessment Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
- used strategic whole class or individual questioning
- observed student participation during learning activities
- recorded student progress on a checklist
- annotated student work samples
- collected and reviewed student work samples
- facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
- encouraged student self-reflection
- administered formal assessment tasks.
NSW Curriculum alignment
- MA1-9MG
Length - measures, records, compares and estimates lengths and distances using uniform informal units, metres and centimetres
- MA1-10MG
Area - measures, records, compares and estimates areas using uniform informal units
- MA1-11MG
Volume and Capacity - measures, records, compares and estimates volumes and capacities using uniform informal units
- MA1-12MG
Mass - measures, records, compares and estimates the masses of objects using uniform informal units
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCMMG115
Compare and order several shapes and objects based on length, area, volume and capacity using appropriate uniform informal units
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACMMG037
Compare and order several shapes and objects based on length, area, volume and capacity using appropriate uniform informal units
Comments & Reviews
Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you would like to request a change (Changes & Updates) to this resource, or report an error, simply select the corresponding tab above.
Log in or sign up to join the conversation.
Request a change
Would you like something changed or customized on this resource? While our team makes every effort to complete change requests, we can't guarantee that every change will be completed.
You must be logged in to request a change. Sign up now!
Report an Error
You must be logged in to report an error. Sign up now!
Help
Are you having trouble downloading or viewing this resource? Please try the following steps:
If you are still having difficulty, please visit the Teach Starter Help Desk or contact us.
Contact us