Volume...again...But adding it together now!
Geometry seems to be a lot of memorizing formulas to me, which is why I find it a little difficult. I want to make sure I can memorize it all and truly understand it in order to teach it in my class.
Volume = length x width x height
I got it! I think...
This correlates to Common Core standards in 5th grade. Adding different shapes together is found in the below standard:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.C.5.C
Recognize volume as additive. Find volumes of solid figures composed of two non-overlapping right rectangular prisms by adding the volumes of the non-overlapping parts, applying this technique to solve real world problems.
I found a Khan Academy video that is not overly exciting, but it gets the point across and I feel like I really understand it.
When thinking about it conceptually, it makes sense. Get the volume of two shapes and add them together, but what if you have an irregular shape? This video shows how you would go about getting the volume of that irregular shape by splitting it into two (or more) understandable shapes and adding the volume of these together:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNWZEln6Nc
I also found a great lesson plan that I think would engage kids to a high level and would even be able to span a couple of days and different lessons.
Creating a Hamster condo!
https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/volume-additive-create-hamster-mansion/
In this lesson the students create a mansion for a hamster and have to find the area. They have to figure out the size of each different room and add them together, ensuring they are reaching a minimum size for a hamster to live.
They can decide if they want a family and if so, they would need additional space, involving multiplying the minimum needed space.
They also can use different prisms to make their mansion more interesting, a square bedroom, rectangular living room, maybe a triangular kitchen?
This would get the students thinking about different aspects of a home (even if it is for a hamster!), kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc.
Once they design it they can add onto it, or they can combine with other groups to make a hamster compound. This will help their additive skills. If they combine, they can then decide to take away some parts. They would not need 2 kitchens so would have to split that section out and take away from the grand sum.
To make it fun they could even make some decorations.
And, bonus if you have a class pet!
Here is a worksheet that can be used:
Bonnie Jeanne, I KNOW you didn't say something from Khan Academy was boring!!! :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea from the video about breaking an irregular shape into two or more regular shapes and adding them together. It reminds me of similar strategies we've seen in class of rounding or making tens--get the gist of what you're looking for referencing more familiar numbers.
So that's the math part, and it's a great way to think about area. But I just have to say: HAMSTER CONDO! That is genius! It's so appealing in so many ways--you get to build a little critter house (show me the kid who doesn't want to do that!); you get to think through how to apply mathematics in real life (like you said, the hamster doesn't need two kitchens); and if you actually do have a class pet . . .you get to build the actual condo!!! I seriously think this is one of the best classroom idea I have heard yet, and it may actually be the best, because it is so creative, applied, and engaging.
Thank you so much for this!
Great feedback.
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