6.8.C

Math6th Grade

The Standard

write equations that represent problems related to the area of rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and triangles and volume of right rectangular prisms where dimensions are positive rational numbers

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students turn diagrams and word problems into equations for area or volume. They choose the correct formula and substitute positive fractions or decimals for the dimensions.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student selects the correct formula and substitutes each given dimension in the right place. The equation uses decimals or fractions correctly and labels area or volume with appropriate units.

Common Misconceptions

Students may use base times height for a triangle without dividing by 2. They may forget parentheses in the trapezoid formula or use surface area instead of volume for a prism.

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A trapezoid has bases of 4.5 meters and 7.5 meters and a height of 3 meters. Write an equation for its area without solving.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Give pairs paper triangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids to cut and rearrange into rectangles, then write equations using measured fractional dimensions.

  2. Ask students to explain why a triangle equation includes one-half and why a parallelogram equation does not.

  3. Run a card sort matching shape diagrams, short word problems, formulas, and equations with fraction and decimal dimensions.

  4. Use a classroom floor plan and a storage box, then have students write equations for floor area and box volume.

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