Volume - Compare Volume - Planning

In a Year 5 mathematics lesson, students delve into the concept of volume with a focus on comparing the volumes of different solids. The class begins with a recap of what volume means—the amount of space an object occupies—and then moves on to using centimetre cubes to build and compare the volume of various shapes. The pupils are equipped with centimetre cubes, worksheets, and a presentation to aid their learning. Key vocabulary such as 'comparative', 'volume', and 'visualise' is introduced, with resources available to help students understand these terms. The children engage in hands-on activities, starting with identifying the volume of a single cube and progressing to more complex arrangements, where they must count the cubes or apply the formula for volume (length x width x height) to determine the size of the solid.

As the lesson advances, students face increasingly challenging tasks, where they must visualise and count cubes that are not directly visible. They learn to compare volumes by arranging shapes in ascending or descending order and use comparative language like 'greater than', 'less than', and 'equal to' to describe relationships between volumes. The lesson is structured to cater to different learning levels, with activities ranging from finding and comparing the volume of simple solids to tackling more complex shapes. Throughout the lesson, key questions prompt students to think critically about volume, and a reflective 'Give me five' activity consolidates their understanding, ensuring they remember the key concepts and skills practised during the lesson, such as visualising and calculating volume.