Unit 7: Volume

Overview

Ever wondered how to teach the concept of volume in an engaging way to your 5th-grade students?

In this unit plan, students will first learn about volume by counting unit cubes and edge lengths. Later on, they will build on this to learn about the volume of right rectangular prisms with whole number edge lengths. Lastly, they will learn about finding the volume of composite rectangular prisms through decomposition and application of the volume formula.

Each lesson helps students master the unit through artistic, interactive guided notes, check for understanding, and culminates with a real-life example that explores how volume is used in practical scenarios. It's an exciting way to teach the concept of volume while comprehensively meeting standards.

Get the Unit Materials

Volume of Rectangular Prisms, Composite Solids Guided Notes | 5th Grade Unit

Volume of Rectangular Prisms, Composite Solids Guided Notes | 5th Grade Unit

$8.99 · Extensions sold separately

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Learning Objectives

After this unit, students will be able to:

  • Identify unit cubes and understand their role in calculating volume

  • Define volume and explain its importance in measuring space

  • Calculate the volume of right rectangular prisms with whole number edge lengths using the formula V = l × w × h

  • Decompose composite rectangular prisms into simpler shapes in order to calculate their volume

  • Apply the volume formula (V = l × w × h) to find the volume of composite rectangular prisms

Prerequisites

Before starting this unit, students should be familiar with:

  • Basic understanding of multiplication and division

  • Familiarity with calculating the area of rectangles

  • Understanding of the concepts of length, width, and height

  • Ability to identify 2D and 3D shapes

  • Understanding of basic geometry language (e.g., vertices, edges, faces)

  • Proficiency in working with whole numbers

Key Vocabulary

  • Volume

  • Unit Cubes

  • Rectangular Prism

  • Composite

  • Decomposing

  • Formula

  • Edge Lengths

  • Solid Figures

Lesson Map

Extensions

Volume Pixel Art Unit BUNDLE | 5th Grade CCSS | Cubic Units, Prisms

Volume Pixel Art Unit BUNDLE | 5th Grade CCSS | Cubic Units, Prisms

$10.99

Students practice volume, including counting cubic units to find volume, calculating volume by multiplying l x w x h, volume of rectangular prisms word problems, and additive volume of composite figures made up of rectangular prisms in this 5th Grade CCSS Volume Pixel Art Bundle. Contains 4 products with 8 pixel art activities total for a complete 5th grade Common Core volume unit.

These self-checking Google Sheets give students instant feedback. Incorrect answers are highlighted in red, and correct answers turn green and unlock parts of a mystery picture. They’re easy to assign, keep students engaged, and free up your time for differentiation and more.

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Unit 6

2D Geometry

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