Reveal Math Grade 5, Unit 1: Volume
In this unit, your child explores volume, the amount of space a solid takes up. They fill rectangular prisms with unit cubes, count cubes layer by layer, and then use the formula length × width × height. They also find the volume of figures made from two boxes. Next comes place value, from whole numbers to thousandths.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Recognizing volume as a measure of space, found by packing a solid with unit cubes, leaving no gaps and no overlaps. Learn more: Volume: how much space is inside a solid
- Counting unit cubes in rows and layers to find volume, and recording it in cubic units like cubic centimeters. Learn more: Finding volume by counting cubes
- Finding volume with length × width × height, and splitting an L-shaped figure into two boxes to add their volumes. Learn more: Finding the volume of a box
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Hana stacks 12 unit cubes into a tall tower. Then she takes it apart and uses all 12 cubes to build a long, low wall. How does the volume of the wall compare with the volume of the tower?
- They have the same volume
- The tower has more volume
- The wall has more volume
How you can help
- Fill a small box with same-size blocks, dice, or sugar cubes, packing them tightly. Ask your child why loose, jumbled cubes would give the wrong count.
- Ask your child to build two different towers or boxes from the same 12 blocks. Talk about why both have the same volume even though they look different.
- Look at stacked boxes in a store aisle or a pile of books at home. Ask how many are in one layer, how many layers there are, and how many in all.
Where kids can get stuck
- Tossing cubes loosely into a box and counting them, leaving gaps that make the volume seem smaller than it is.
- Counting each outside face separately and adding, so corner and edge cubes get counted two or three times.
- Counting the overlap twice when splitting an L-shaped figure into two boxes, which makes the total too big.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- volume
- The amount of space inside a solid shape, measured in cubic units.
- unit cube
- A cube that is 1 unit long, 1 unit wide, and 1 unit tall.
- cubic unit
- The unit for measuring volume: the space one unit cube fills.
- rectangular prism
- A solid shape with six rectangle faces, like a box.
- layer
- One flat level of cubes in a stack.
- length
- How long a shape is, from one end to the other.
- width
- How wide a shape is, from side to side.
- height
- How tall a solid is, from the bottom to the top.
- formula
- A rule written with letters and symbols, like V = l × w × h.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with volume?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Reveal Math Grade 5 Unit 1 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 5 Unit 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.