How Much Does It Take?

Students will explore packing three-dimensional rectangular prisms with fractional edge lengths. They will also calculate the volume of rectangular prisms using multiple methods. The link to an online rectangular prism calculator is available for students to check their calculations. Students are provided three real-world context problems and asked to solve how many smaller rectangular prisms of a given size can be packed into the larger rectangular prism model. Then students are challenged to solve the volume of the larger rectangular prism using two different methods. Most students will solve using the most common method V=lwh. At this point, the teacher should conduct a Think-Pair-Share with the class. Ask the students how there is another way they could solve for the volume of the larger rectangular prism using how many smaller prisms are needed to pack the larger prism. Have the students compare their results with a partner and decide what they would like to share back with the class. All students should have the same answers. An answer key is provided with detailed explanations of how to solve each step. Another variation of the lesson could be the teacher modeling problems 1 and 2, students work in pairs on problems 3 and 4, and students work independently on problems 5 and 6. Problems 3 and 4 are more difficult due to some conversion calculations needed to complete the problems. Students are also provided the link to an online rectangular prism calculator where they can check their calculations along the way.