Lesson Plan: Volume "Popcorn Anyone"

This lesson has students learning about the relationship between volume and dimensions.  Students will construct two rectangular prisms and two cylinders out of 8 1/2" by 11" paper to investigate which holds more popcorn.  The objectives of this lesson are to have students: make a hypothesis and test it, create 3D objects from sheets of paper, compare volume of different 3D shapes, and to discover which dimensions have the largest impact on volume.  This lesson could be used over two-50min class periods where students are working in pairs.  Teacher can model how to construct the objects then turn to the students to have them build the 3D objects and make a conjecture of which object they believe to hold the most popcorn.  There is an accompanying activity sheet that goes along with the activity.

Below are the steps to construct the four different 3D objects.

After students construct all four geometric shapes, have them complete the accompanying worksheet which basically asks them to measure the dimensions and determing the volume of the figures using the formula for volume of a rectangular prism: V = l x w x h and volume of a cylinder: V =

πr ²h.

Next, hand each group a bowl of popcorn and a cup for transferring the popcorn. Suggest to students that one hold the rectangular prism as the other fills the tall prism without spilling the popcorn into the shorter one. If availability allows, watch students during this part of the activity to see their reactions. They can now compare their answers for volume with actually how much popcorn fits into each figure.  Have them tie everything togather by asking well thought of questions and have them explain what they learned from the investigation.

Overall, this lesson allows students to explore how volume effects different geometric figures.