Fifth Grade Explores Volume

April 18, 2016

Contributed by Kristen Purdy

The fifth graders in Kumu Matsuuraʻs class have been working on volumetric measurement. Throughout the math unit they have learned to use the operations of addition and multiplication to solve basic and real world problems involving volume. At the beginning of the volume section, they worked with unit cubes to determine the volume of an object. From there they worked with problems involving real world rectangular prisms such as crayon and spaghetti boxes. Finally, they learned how to apply volume formulas to compare the volumes of various rectangular prisms.

Following that unit, the haumana participated in a couple of activities. In the first activity, they were given several cereal boxes and asked to determine which box had the largest volume without measuring or reading the label. All of the groups came out with the same answer (Box E). Then one of the groups used the method of filling the boxes with Styrofoam packing peanuts and measuring the peanuts to determine which box had the greatest volume. This time it was Box A that had the greatest volume (3.2 grams).

The final activity was to create a cereal box with the goal of making a box with the largest volume. Each group was given the same sized poster board. Some of the groups have finished measuring the volume to the nearest inch and centimeter and also by using packing peanuts. Once all of the groups are done measuring we will be able to discuss and reflect on the process and determine which group created the cereal box with the greatest volume.

Kayla & Maile