Lesson 1

Measuring Volume

Est. Class Sessions: 1–2
X

Mathematical Standards

4.MD.A
Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurments. (4.MD.A.1, 4.MD.A.2)

Standards for Mathematical Practice

MP1.
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MP2.
Reason quantitatively.
MP5.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
MP6.
Attend to precision.

Students discuss volume using the context of the Aesop's Fable The Crow and the Pitcher. The procedure for finding the volume of an object by displacement is modeled for students. Students estimate and measure the volume of small objects.

Content in this Lesson

  • Understanding the concept of volume [E6, E7].
  • Using appropriate units for measuring volume [E6, E7].
  • Measuring volume by displacement to the nearest centimeter [E6].
  • Estimating the volume of small objects [E7].
  • Solving problems involving volume [E4].
  • Reading graduated cylinders with different scales [E6, E7].

Daily Practice and Problems A–B

A. Facts Practice

B. Find the Pattern

X

Materials for Students

Daily Practice and Problems Lesson Homework Assessment

Student Books

Student Guide
Student Activity Book

Teacher Resources

Teacher Guide - digital

Supplies for Student Pairs

centimeter connecting cubes
250 cc graduated cylinder
container of water
eyedropper

objects that can be measured in a graduated cylinder such as overhead pens, markers, crayons, small rocks, erasers, glue sticks, and lumps of clay

paper towels

Materials for the Teacher

Display of 100 cc Graduated Cylinder Scale Master (Teacher Guide)
Display of 250 cc Graduated Cylinder Scale Master (Teacher Guide)
Display of Reading a Graduated Cylinder Master (Teacher Guide)
Display of Meniscus Master (Teacher Guide)
250 cc graduated cylinder
100 cc graduated cylinder
a small object to measure in a graduated cylinder, e.g., a rock or a lump of clay
container of water
eyedropper
Unit 13 Assessment Record

Materials Preparation

Gather Materials. Gather and organize materials for Part 2 of the lesson: 250 cc graduated cylinders, containers of water, eyedroppers, centimeter connecting cubes, paper towels, and a collection of small objects for each pair of students. Be sure the objects fit in the graduated cylinder and do not absorb water. The following objects work well: overhead pens, markers, crayons, small rocks, lumps of clay, solid erasers, solid toys, and glue sticks. The following objects do not work well: links, wooden objects, and toys with open spaces. Small toys will work if they are solid or if air pockets are completely enclosed.

Assessment in this Lesson

Assessment Expectation Assessed

Estimating and Measuring Volume
Check-In: Questions 1 and 2
Student Activity Book
Pages 541–542

E6.
Measure volume by displacement to the nearest cubic centimeter.
E7.
Estimate the volume of small objects.