Volume of Right Rectangular Prisms (Whole Number Edge Lengths) Lesson Plan

Introduction

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As a hook, ask students why understanding the volume of rectangular prisms is important in real life, such as estimating volume when moving furniture or packing boxes. Refer to the last page of the guided notes as well as the FAQs below for ideas.

Use the first page of the guided notes to introduce the concept of volume of right rectangular prisms. Walk through the formula V = l × w × h and the meanings of length, width, and height. Emphasize that volume measures the space inside the prism.

Use the second page of the guided notes to practice how to calculate the volume of different rectangular prisms or cubes with whole number edge lengths. Model examples of finding the volume using the formula. Highlight the importance of multiplying the three dimensions together to find the volume.

Based on student responses, reteach concepts that students need extra help with. If your class has a wide range of proficiency levels, you can pull out students for reteaching, and have more advanced students begin work on the practice exercises.

Practice

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Have students practice calculating the volume of right rectangular prisms using the practice worksheet included in the resource. They will work on the fun maze activity (pg. 3 of guided notes) where they solve math problems to escape the maze. Walk around to answer student questions.

Fast finishers can begin the color by number activity (pg. 4) for extra practice. You can alternatively assign it as homework for the remainder of the class.

Real-Life Application

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Using the last page of the guided notes, bring the class back together, and introduce the concept of the practical applications of finding the volume of right rectangular prisms in real life, such as determining the amount of space a moving truck can hold or calculating the volume of a box for packaging items.

These real-world scenarios demonstrate the significance of understanding and applying the concept of volume to solve everyday problems. Refer to the FAQ section for additional ideas on how to explore and teach real-life applications of volume calculations.

Additional Self-Checking Digital Practice

If you’re looking for digital practice for Volume of Right Rectangular Prisms, try my Pixel Art activities in Google Sheets. Every answer is automatically checked, and correct answers unlock parts of a mystery picture. It’s incredibly fun, and a powerful tool for differentiation.

Here’s an activity to explore:

• Volume of Rectangular Prisms and Cubes Whole Number Edge | Digital Pixel Art

Additional Print Practice

A fun, no-prep way to practice Volume of Right Rectangular Prisms is Doodle Math—they’re a fresh take on color by number or color by code. It includes multiple levels of practice, perfect for a review day or sub plan.

Here's an activity to explore:

• Volume of Cubes and Rectangular Prisms - Whole Number Edge Lengths Pixel Art

Real-Life Math Project

A fun way to wrap this lesson with your students is with one of my real-life math projects. They enable students to see the application of the math in an engaging, extended project.

Here's an activity to try:

• Volume & Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms Minecraft Inspired Math Project