Perimeter, Area and Volume - What is volume? - Worksheet

The concept of volume is introduced to children as the amount of solid space an object occupies, distinct from its capacity, which is the amount a container can hold. The lesson on volume helps students to understand this difference through practical activities that involve constructing solid shapes with centimetre cubes. By using the same number of cubes to build various solids, students learn about the conservation of volume. The lesson is supported by differentiated worksheets and teaching slides, and it encourages the use of centimetre cubes as a hands-on resource. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms like shape, volume, capacity, centimetre, centimetre cubes, and solids.

Students are prompted to explore the concept of volume further with a series of questions and activities that challenge them to make different solids using a set number of centimetre cubes. They are then asked to record their findings, such as the width, height, length, and calculated volume of each shape they create. Further reasoning and problem-solving exercises require students to consider how many ways they can construct a cuboid with a given volume, and to create their own shapes with clues for their peers. These exercises are designed to deepen understanding of volume and to differentiate between volume and capacity, supporting students working at various levels from those approaching the topic to those ready for greater depth challenges.