Rectangular prisms
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 3 (end of Year 6) | |
| Grade B | Jamie Casey Jessie Lindsay Tracy |
| Grade C | Ashley Indra Terry |
| Grade D | Kim |
Foundation Statement strands
The following strands are covered in this activity:
Working Mathematically, Measurement and Data, Space and Geometry
Description of activity
Students construct rectangular prisms using 24 interlocking cubes, recording and describing their findings.
- Students are given 24 interlocking cubes.
- They make a rectangular prism with a volume of 24 cubic units.
- They describe their rectangular prism in terms of its length, breadth and height and record this information using diagrams and words.
- Students make other rectangular prisms with a volume of 24 cubic units, recording the results and describing what they notice.
The suggested time allocation for this activity is 40 minutes.
Suggested materials
Interlocking cubes, blank paper, pencils
Prior learning
Students have had experience in constructing prisms using interlocking cubes and recording their dimensions (length, breadth, height). Students have also looked at the relationship between volume, length, breadth and height.
Board of Studies NSW, Mathematics K–6 Syllabus, pp 106, 121
Board of Studies NSW, Mathematics K–6 Sample Units of Work, p 144
Outcomes
Volume and Capacity (MS3.3)
Selects and uses the appropriate unit to estimate and measure volume and capacity, including the volume of rectangular prisms
Three-dimensional Space (SGS3.1)
Identifies three-dimensional objects, including particular prisms and pyramids, on the basis of their properties, and visualises, sketches and constructs them given drawings of different views
Communicating (WMS3.3)
Describes and represents a mathematical situation in a variety of ways using mathematical terminology and some conventions
Reasoning (WMS3.4)
Gives a valid reason for supporting one possible solution over another
Criteria for assessing learning
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- construct rectangular prisms and record their dimensions
- describe a rectangular prism in terms of its length, breadth and height
- communicate mathematical ideas using diagrams and words