Creative Tips for Teaching Volume of Composite Figures

Composite volume can sometimes be a challenging topic for students to understand and master. Calculating the volume of composite figures requires a combination of spatial reasoning, multiplication, and critical thinking. This blog post will explore the process of teaching composite volume step by step and share engaging resources to help your students succeed.

Step 1: Introducing Composite Volume with Unit Cubes

When starting to learn about additive volume, unit cubes provide a hands-on way for students to visualize, manipulate, and measure the volume of composite figures. Students learn to see how individual rectangular prisms come together to form the whole. This builds a concrete understanding of how volume calculations work.

3 worksheets to practice volume of composite figures with unit cubes

Begin with having students find the volume of regular rectangular prisms that are made up of unit cubes. Students can count the cubes in each layer, and multiply that by the number of layers in the prism. This gives students a solid foundation of how length, width and height are represented with the cubes.

CLICK HERE to read more about teaching volume of rectangular prisms!

one rectangular prisms made of unit cubes and two composite figures made of unit cubes

Next, have students practice with rectangular prisms that are only partially filled with unit cubes. This could be a prism that has a base layer of cubes and a column of cubes to show the height or a prism with a random amount of cubes partially filling the prism. Using what information is available, students work to determine what the volume of the prism will be once it is completely filled with cubes.

volume of composite figures with sections defined by different colors

Finally, move on to measuring the volume of composite figures made of unit cubes. This step helps students learn to visualize the different sections of a 3d figure and different ways that are possible to count all of the unit cubes in the shape.

volume of composite figures with unit cubes, sections split by different colors

Help students learn to decompose the composite figure by showing different sections with different colored cubes. Once students have mastered that you can move on to finding the volume of composite figures made with unit cubes that are not decomposed or segmented.

two figures for finding additive volume with unit cubes

Step 2: Composite Prisms with Clearly Defined Sections

Once students are comfortable with finding the volume of composite figures with unit cubes, it’s time to transition to composite volume with prisms where the sections are clearly defined and measurements are clearly labeled.

Students will be able to focus on the additive process without the complexity of identifying the divisions themselves. This helps students build confidence and develop a methodical approach to solving additive volume problems.

volume of composite figures with decomposed sections

Begin with composite prisms that are divided into two clear sections. Have students calculate the volume of each section separately and combine the results to find the total volume.

Once students master finding the volume of composite figures that are split into two sections, increase the difficulty by working with composite prisms that are separated into 3 or more sections.

Step 3: Composite Prisms Without Defined Sections

The final step is the most challenging: solving problems where students must determine how to divide a composite prism into manageable sections on their own. This requires a deeper understanding of geometry and problem-solving.

At this point, students learn how to analyze a composite figure, identify logical divisions, calculate the volume of each section, and combine the results.

Begin with finding the volume of simpler composite figures, where determining how to divide the prism is a little more clear. Have students brainstorm different ways a composite prism could be split to calculate the additive volume. Teach students to draw and label their divisions on their work to keep their thinking organized and accurate.

Continue to progress through finding the volume of composite prisms that are more challenging as students build their skills.

Incorporating Composite Volume Activities into Your Classroom

Here are a few ideas to make additive volume practice engaging and effective:

Collaborative Practice: Have students work in pairs or small groups to solve additive volume mysteries or escape rooms.

additive volume math mystery task cards and clues

Interactive Activities: Use task cards, puzzles or games to make practice dynamic and exciting.

volume puzzle matching cubic units labels to composite figures made of unit cubes

Digital Activities: Use Google Forms activities as practice or for formative assessments throughout your unit. Short 10 question Google Forms are the perfect length to keep students engaged and provide you with valuable feedback.

composite volume google form practice shown on a laptop computer

Routine Practice: Incorporate worksheets and other practice activities regularly to reinforce the skill and build confidence.

two additive volume worksheets on top of a pink and orange checkered binder

Why Composite Volume is Important

Teaching composite volume not only strengthens students’ math skills but also prepares them for future challenges in geometry and beyond. By following a clear progression and using engaging resources, you can help your students develop confidence and mastery in this essential concept.

Explore the resources linked above to get started, and watch your students thrive as they learn to tackle additive volume with confidence!

Looking for more composite volume resources to use in your classroom?

CLICK HERE to see all of my volume activities!