Volume is the measurement of space taken up by something. Solids, liquids and gases all take up space. You can measure the volume of each of these. The term volume is used in math and science. Use these tips to teach geometric volume to kids.
Instructions
1. Show kids that volume is the space taken up inside of something. Look inside a jug of juice, a box of laundry soap or an ice cube tray. Volume is how much juice is in the jug, how much soap is in the box or how many ice cubes are in the tray.
2. Explain that volume is the measurement of space occupied in 3 dimensions. If you measure around something, you measure perimeter. If you measure the surface of something, you measure area. When you measure inside of something, you measure volume.
3. Point out that volume can change. When liquids are heated up, they usually take up more space than when they are cooler.
4. Look at the volume of containers. Use metric cubes to measure inside of boxes. See how many cubes can fit into the containers. The volume of something is always measured in cubic measurements.
5. Learn the formula for volume: V = b x w x h. B is the base or bottom of an object. W is the width. H is the height. Another way of writing the formula is l x w x h. L is the length. W is the width. H is the height.
6. Use these formulas for solid squares or rectangles. Write the answer in cubic units like inches cubed or cm cubed.
7. Draw three dimensional cubes of different sizes. Measure the length, width and height of the cubes. Multiply using the formula for volume. Compare your answers to determine which object has the greatest volume.
8. Use sugar cubes, dice or ice cubes to fill up a container for a more hands on way of comparing volume between two objects.
9. Teach kids that volume is measured using standard unit in the United States like ounces, pounds and tons. Canada uses the metric system which measures volume in grams, kilograms and metric tons.
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