Perimeter, Area and Volume - Volume – Counting Cubes - Planning

In the second week of a Year 6 spring term lesson on Perimeter, Area, and Volume, students explore the concept of volume through hands-on activities and discussions. The lesson utilises cubes and multilink to construct 3D shapes, alongside worksheets and a presentation to support learning. Key vocabulary such as 'cube', 'cubic units', 'area', 'volume', and 'measure' is introduced, with resources available to help students understand these terms. The lesson starts with a recap on the space occupied by a 3D object, which leads to an activity where children count the cubes to find the volume of different solid shapes. They are then challenged with shapes that have hidden cubes, learning to count in layers to ensure accuracy. Further activities encourage the children to visualise volume and consider different units of measure, such as mm³ and m³, while building their own models to understand the practical application of volume.

Group work and independent activities are designed to deepen understanding and address common misconceptions about volume. Students work through reasoning and problem-solving exercises, comparing statements and constructing shapes to validate their answers. The lesson plan caters to different levels of ability, from 'Working Towards' to 'Greater Depth', with tasks that progressively increase in complexity. For example, students at the expected level find the volume of shapes with some hidden parts, while those at greater depth tackle shapes with many invisible parts. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity where students consider what they have learned about finding volume, the skills they used and found tricky, and what they will remember from the lesson. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of volume, using practical, visual, and conceptual methods to engage the students.