Counting Unit Cubes

PROCEDURAL

Mathematics›Measurement|Ages 10—11|ID: mt_d7XktBQPxm

Measure volumes by counting unit cubes using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and other units

Mastery Evidence

Count unit cubes in a 3D diagram to determine volume in cm³
Measure the volume of a small container by filling it with centimetre cubes
Express a measured volume using the correct cubic unit notation

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] sees a 3-D shape built from small cubes in a diagram, can they count how many cubes it contains — even the ones hidden at the back — to find the volume?”

Prerequisites1

Measuring length (age 10+)
hardAges 10—11

Show full prerequisite tree

Measuring length (age 10+) hard
Measuring by counting cubes requires understanding unit cube concept
- Estimating volume hard
  Volume as an attribute formalises Y5 informal volume estimation with cubes
  - Area (age 8+) hard
    Counting unit squares for area supports extending to counting unit cubes for volume
    - Understanding Area hard
      Must understand unit squares and area concept before measuring by counting
      - Measuring length (age 7+) soft
        Length measurement experience supports understanding area as a 2D measurement
        
        Measuring length (age 6+) hard
        Using standard measurement tools extends measuring with non-standard units
        
        Measuring length and height (age 5+) hard
        Measuring with iterated units extends Y1 beginning to measure length
        
        Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
        Measuring length with units requires first being able to compare lengths directly
        
        Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
        
        Measuring length soft
        Measuring with units benefits from ability to order and compare lengths
        
        Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
        Ordering 3 objects by length and indirect comparison extends direct length comparison
        
        Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
        
        Choosing measurement units soft
        Choosing appropriate tools builds on choosing appropriate units
        
        Capacity and volume hard
        Using standard units for capacity extends from beginning to measure capacity
        
        Comparing Capacity hard
        Measuring capacity with units requires first being able to compare capacities
        
        Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing capacity requires understanding capacity as a measurable attribute
        
        Measuring length and height (age 5+) hard
        Using standard units for length extends from beginning to measure length
        
        Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
        Measuring length with units requires first being able to compare lengths directly
        
        Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
        
        Measuring mass and weight hard
        Using standard units for mass extends from beginning to measure mass
        
        Measuring mass and weight (age 4+) hard
        Measuring mass with units requires first being able to compare masses directly
        
        Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing mass/weight requires first identifying mass as a measurable attribute

Unlocks1

Estimating answers (age 10+)
hardAges 10—11