8.7.A

Math8th Grade

The Standard

solve problems involving the volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students identify the solid, choose the matching volume formula, and use the given radius, diameter, and height correctly. They solve for volume in exact or decimal form and include cubic units.

What Mastery Looks Like

Students select the correct formula, substitute measurements accurately, and solve with or without a calculator. They give exact answers in terms of pi or decimal estimates and use cubic units.

Common Misconceptions

Students often use diameter as the radius or forget to square the radius. They may omit the cone's one-third factor, confuse sphere and cylinder formulas, or label volume with square units.

How to Assess It

Give an exit ticket: A cone has radius 4 cm and height 9 cm. Find its exact volume and a decimal approximation, then label the units.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Fill a cone-shaped cup with rice three times to compare its capacity with a cylinder having the same base and height.

  2. Ask students to explain why doubling a cylinder's radius changes its volume more than doubling its height.

  3. Run a formula card sort, then have pairs solve cylinder, cone, and sphere task cards for points.

  4. Compare packaging by calculating the capacities of a soup can, an ice cream cone, and a spherical ornament.

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