Build with cubes first
Hand out unit cubes and ask groups to build a prism that's 3 by 2 by 4. Count the cubes, then count one layer and multiply by the number of layers. When kids build the formula themselves, they don't forget it.
Why it works: going from real objects to pictures to symbols is a core recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.
Try it withVolume Cubes WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →























