Virginia SOL 5.MG.2.e
The Standard
Solve problems, including those in context, to estimate and determine the volume of a rectangular prism using concrete objects, diagrams, and formulas when the length, width, and height are given in whole number units. Record the solution with the appropriate unit of measure (e.g., 12 cubic inches).
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will use multiple representations to solve problems, including those in context, involving perimeter, area, and volume.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students estimate and find how many unit cubes fill a rectangular prism. They connect cube layers and diagrams to length times width times height, then record cubic units.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can choose a model, diagram, or formula and explain how it represents layers of cubes. They estimate first, calculate accurately, and label answers in cubic units.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may add the three dimensions or multiply only length and width. They may count only visible cubes, confuse volume with surface area, or label answers with square units.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A box is 6 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches high. Estimate its volume, find the exact volume, sketch its layers, and label the answer.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs 24 unit cubes to build a 4 by 3 by 2 prism, then record the layers and multiplication equation.
Ask students to explain in writing why 3 by 4 by 5 and 2 by 5 by 6 prisms have equal volumes.
Play a matching game with dimension cards, prism diagrams, multiplication equations, and volume cards labeled in cubic units.
Give students whole-number dimensions for a shipping box and ask how many one-inch cubes would fill it.
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Printable 5.MG.2.e Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 8.MG.2.b
Determine the volume of cones and square-based pyramids, using concrete objects, diagrams, and formulas.
- 5.MG.2.d
Investigate and develop a formula for determining the volume of rectangular prisms using concrete objects.
- 7.MG.1.c
Determine if a problem in context, involving a rectangular prism or right cylinder, represents the application of volume or surface area.
- 7.MG.1.b
Develop the formulas for determining the surface area of rectangular prisms and right cylinders and solve problems, including those in contextual situations, us...
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