Welcome!

I created this blog as a TN 5th grade Math resource for parents and students.

Math Help

Look above for links to see what we are working on in Math every 9 weeks!

Follow me!

Use Google, Twitter, or Yahoo & follow my blog! Comments welcome!
 

Surface Area & Volume: 2/28/11 to 3/4/11

Monday, February 28, 2011

SURFACE AREA
We will be learning how to find the surface area of some solid figures.
The solid figures we will be focusing on are rectangular prisms and cubes.

The formula for both:
SA= 2(LxW) +2(LxH) +2(WxH)
OR
SA= 2x(Lxw)+(LxH)+(WxH)

However, we will be using the "Y" method to figure out the surface area.
See images below for quick tutorial. (These are from our flipchart so students should be familiar with, and it will hopefully trigger memories from class.)







  1. Draw a Y
  2. Take the three numbers (the length, width, and height) and put them on the corner of a Y. 
  3. Then multiply the two corners putting the answer in between each spot (notice the 30, 20, 24.) 
  4. Take these three numbers and find the sum by adding them together. 
  5. Double that sum by multiplying it by two. 



The reason you must double is because that is only one half of the rectangular prism. You have to double it to take care of the remaining half to find the complete surface area. 



VOLUME 
We call this the "easy" method because it is one of the easiest formulas to memorize.

Volume=Length x Width x Height
Basically, you take the three numbers available and multiply them all together. 


Watch out for kids getting confused between Volume & Surface Area.  This is normal, but try to avoid the confusion by asking them to explain what they are doing when they do their sample problems and why. You can even create your own by making a mixture of any three numbers. 
 


    Signing off, Mrs. Burger :-)

    0 comments:

    Post a Comment

    About Me

    My photo
    My name is Mrs. Hanah Burger. This is my 4th year teaching 5th grade math at Blythe-Bower Elementary, and I love what I do. My goal is to make as many math nerds out there to love numbers and change the world with their knowledge! I just finished my Masters, and I hope to one day go back for my EDs. I have two amazing kiddos, Mikaela (6) and Peyton (3), as well as a great hubby, Jonathan. They mean the world to me. :0D

    Visitors

    Blog Archive

    Followers