Lesson plan

3. Determine Dimensions (A)

  • From K-5 Math Companion Curriculum
  • Created by
  • Standards
  • Tags:
teaches Common Core State Standards 5.MD.C.5.b http://corestandards.org/Math/Content/5/MD/C/5/b
teaches Common Core State Standards MP8 http://corestandards.org/Math/Practice/MP8
Print / PDF

You have saved this lesson plan!

Here's where you can access your saved items.

Dismiss
Press ESC or click here to exit full screen

Tip: swipe on touch devices, use your keyboard's ← and → arrow keys, or clicker buttons to quickly navigate the lesson plan

or to view additional materials

You'll gain access to interventions, extensions, task implementation guides, and more for this lesson plan.

Lesson objective: Apply volume formula to determine dimensions of a right rectangular prism when volume is given. 

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and understanding of the volume formula length by width by height to a real-life situation. Students are asked to determine the possible dimensions of a pencil box when they know the volume. Students are also asked to think about the appropriateness of the dimesnions based on pencil length to choose the best design. 

Key Concept students will use: 

  • The volume of a right rectangular prism is equal to the product of its length, width, and height, which is equal to the number of unit cubes that can be packed into it.

Skills students will use:

  • understand volume (Grade 5, Unit 1)
  • associative property (Grade 3, Unit 9)

Students engage in Mathematical Practice 8 (Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning) as they compute and apply generalized formulas to determine the dimensions of a right rectangular prism.   

Key vocabulary: 

  • dimensions
  • factor
  • right rectangular prism
  • volume

Special materials needed:

  • graph paper
  • isometric dot paper
  • unit cubes