LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Mathematics — Grade 8

Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will understand and use measurement concepts.

Objective 2.01. Determine the effect on perimeter, area or volume when one or more dimensions of two- and three-dimensional figures are changed.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Modeling volume
This activity helps the students see how the volume of something includes the third dimension (width or depth) which is different from area. This activity also helps the students "prove" that the volume formula actually works. Students will already know that the volume of a rectangular prism is found by multiplying the object's length, width, and height. By using the blocks as models of volume, the students should come to realize that volume can be calculated simply by multiplying the area of the base by the height of the rectangular prism. Thus, they will come to realize that there is no need to try and fill the entire box with the tiny 1cm cubes, they can simply fill the bottom (to see how many cubes are there) and figure out how many rows there will be and multiply.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
By Erin Foerster.
Giving meaning to volume and surface area
This lesson is designed to help students give meaning to volume and surface area by solving problems using a meaningful situation rather than formulas.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
By Grayson Wheatley.
Discovering perimeters
By using string, students will discover a formula for finding the perimeter of a rectangle.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Mathematics)
By Jenny Crumpler.

Resources on the web

Spinning tops
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students participate in games and activities that develop concepts of measurement and statistics. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Shops at the Mall
Students develop number sense in and around the shopping mall. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Scaling away
In this Illuminations lesson, students measure the dimensions of a common object, multiply each dimension by a scale factor, and examine a model using the multiplied dimensions. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Off the scale
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use real-world examples to solve problems involving scale as they examine maps of their home states and calculate distances between cities. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Mathematics at the mall: Unit overview
Students participate in activities in which they develop number sense in and around the shopping mall. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Learning about length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using interactive figures: Side length and area of similar figures
This two-part example illustrates how students can learn about the length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using dynamic figures. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
In your shadow
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students extend their knowledge of proportions to solving problems dealing with similarity by measuring the heights and shadows of familiar objects and using indirect measurement to find the heights... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Finding the balance
In this lesson for middle grades students, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students participate in activities in which they focus on patterns and relations that can be developed from the exploration of balance, mass, length of the mass arm, and... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Finding our top speed
This Illuminations lesson sets the stage for a discussion of travel in the solar system. By considering a real-world, hands-on activity, students develop their understanding of time and distance. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Fill'r up
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students can manipulate the scale factor that links two three-dimensional rectangular prisms and learn about the relationships between edge lengths and volumes. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Do you measure up?
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students learn the basics of the metric system. They identify which unit is used to measure specific objects and make conversions. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Discovering the area formula for triangles
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students learn the area formula for a triangle. Students find the areas of rectangles and squares and compare them to the areas of triangles derived from the original shape. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Cubes everywhere
In this Illuminations lesson, students use cubes to develop spatial thinking and review basic geometric principles through real-life applications. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics