Volume

We introduce volume by looking at different shapes made out of linking cubes. It's an exploration to determine the best way to count the number of cubes within the shape. We discuss ways to keep ourselves from counting the cubes more than once. It's an easy mistake to make when looking at the cube from different angles. The best way we came up with was to look at the shape in layers. Figure out the number of shapes in the initial layer, then determine how many layers there are. This leads the kids to self-discover the formula V = L x W x H. They usually pick up on this very quickly.

We're determining the volume of this shape...

So we look at the top layer...

Then figure out the total number of layers

Here are our journal entries from the last few days...

Our initial journal entry

Practice counting units

After self-discovering the formula...

Our Volume Anchor Chart