NY Next Generation Math NY-5.MD.3.a
The Standard
Recognize that a cube with side length 1 unit, called a "unit cube," is said to have "one cubic unit" of volume, and can be used to measure volume.
New York State Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students recognize a cube with side lengths of one unit as a unit cube. They use one unit cube as a unit for measuring the space inside a solid.
What Mastery Looks Like
- The student identifies a one-inch cube as having a volume of one cubic inch. The student explains that cubic units measure three-dimensional space, not edge length or surface area.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may call a unit cube one square unit because they focus on one face. They may think any cube has a volume of one cubic unit.
How to Assess It
- Show cubes with side lengths of one centimeter and two centimeters. Ask which is a unit cube and what volume unit it represents.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have students build unit cubes from centimeter grid nets and label each edge one centimeter.
Ask students why one face is measured in square units while the whole cube is measured in cubic units.
Run a quick sort of cubes that are and are not unit cubes based on labeled side lengths.
Compare a one-inch cube and a one-centimeter cube to discuss how the chosen unit changes a volume measurement.
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Related Standards
- NY-5.MD.4
Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in., cubic ft., and improvised units.
- NY-5.MD.5.a
Find the volume of a right rectangular prism with whole-number side lengths by packing it with unit cubes, and show that the volume is the same as would be foun...
- NY-5.MD.3.b
Recognize that a solid figure which can be packed without gaps or overlaps using n unit cubes is said to have a volume of n cubic units.
- NY-3.MD.5.a
Recognize a square with side length 1 unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area, and can be used to measure area.
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