Marshmallows and Containers

Est. Class Sessions: 2–3

Summarizing the Lesson

Read Adventure Story. To summarize the volume concepts learned in this lesson, read aloud the story "The Princess and Her Playmate" in the Adventure Book.

After the story, ask:

What do you have to think about when predicting volume? (We need to think about the length, width, and height of a container when considering its volume—not just one of the three attributes. You have to think about how tall and how wide the container is.)

Solve Volume Problems. Ask students to complete the Container Problems pages in the Student Activity Book. The problems on these pages use mathematics to make inferences and conclusions about a container's volume. The problems offer an opportunity to add, subtract, and compare two- and three-digit numbers. Students are shown three containers and the number of beans each container holds. Have marshmallows or other manipulatives available for students' use.

Before students begin working, display and direct their attention to the Math Practices page in the Student Activity Book Reference section. When solving these problems, students will be asked to know the problem [MPE1], find a strategy [MPE2], and show their work [MPE5]. Direct students' attention to Question 4 on the Container Problems page as an example.

Ask:

What is being asked in Question 4 [MPE1]? (We need to find out how many beans there are when we put those in Containers E and F together.)
What information do you need to solve the problem? (We need to know how many beans are in Container E and how many beans are in Container F.)
What kinds of tools could you use to solve the problem [MPE2]? (Possible responses: desk number line, 200 Chart, counters)
How can you show or tell how you arrived at your answer so someone else can understand your thinking [MPE5]? (Possible response: I can write about the steps I took or draw pictures, and include number sentences.)

Upon completion, ask students to share a variety of solution strategies for Question 6. Discuss Question 7 to check whether students understand the connection between the quantity of volume units and a container's volume.

Use the Container Problems pages with the Feedback Box in the Student Activity Book to assess students' abilities to solve addition and subtraction word problems involving volume [E8]; know the problem [MPE1]; find a strategy [MPE2]; and show work [MPE5].

Adventure Book: PHP