6th Grade Math Lesson Plan: Volume of a Cube and Rectangular Prism II

Objective: Students will be able to identify and find the volume of a cube and a rectangular prism.

Lesson Opening

1. Ask your students to remind you of the things you learned yesterday about surface area and volume. The key points to hit are: the definitions SA and V, squared units vs. cubed units and how you can find the SA of a cube by finding the area of one side and multiplying by six. Ask them to also remind you of the SA & V equations we formulated.

Guided Practice

1. Say, "We have spent the last three days looking at what the words volume and surface area really mean. In order to do that, we built three dimensional models and experimented to find V & SA formulas."

1. Say, "Now, however, we need to move away from the hands on activities and try to find the answer using only a piece of paper. When you see this type of problem on a standardized test, they won't let you build a model. However, if you picture one in your head, you have a much better chance of doing well."

Independent Practice

1. Pass out the Surface Area and Volume worksheets. Explain that these sheets contain questions very similar to the ones that will be on the test tomorrow. The best way to use them is to do the work on your own, then check with a partner at your table. That way, you will know if you understand the material, or if you need more help.

1. Go over the answers with children. Ask them if they have any questions about either Surface Area or Volume.

Closing

1. Ask the children when in real life they would need to measure the surface area. One example: a cereal box maker needs to know surface area so he/she can figure out the manufacturing cost.