few_shots: 
Example:
Problem/activity:
Narrative
The purpose of this activity is for students to create composite shapes and compose new shapes from composite shapes. For example, students may find that a rectangular prism can be made from four triangular prisms or from eight smaller cubes. Students then discover that they can combine two of the composed rectangular prisms to make a new rectangular prism.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Geoblocks
Launch
Groups of 4
Give each group geoblocks.
Display a large cube.
“This cube can be built from other shapes. See how many ways you can build a cube using other shapes.”
3 minutes: partner work time
Share responses.
Activity
“Choose a different shape. Try to find smaller shapes you can use to build that shape.”
5 minutes: partner work time
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
Display a cube and a composite cube—for example, a cube composed of four small cubes and one rectangular prism.
Demonstrate putting the shapes together.
“What new shape did I make with the cube and the cube I made?”
“Put your shapes together to make a rectangular prism.”
Display a rectangular prism and two triangular prisms.
“Find these shapes. Put them together. What new shape can you make?” (a cube, a rectangular block)


Concept/skill: 
Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. (Students do not need to learn formal names such as “right rectangular prism.”)

Answer: 
Yes. This activity asks students to compose three-dimensional shapes, using geoblocks, to create composite shapes.

Now, does the problem or activity shown below enable students to learn the full intent of the following concept or skill?

shot_info: im_lesson_009431_pos_0

1
standard_description: Give an informal argument for the formulas for the circumference of a circle, area of a circle, volume of a cylinder, pyramid, and cone. Use dissection arguments, Cavalieri’s principle, and informal limit arguments.
problem_activity: Activity
In this activity, students apply what they have learned previously about surface area and volume to different situations (MP4). Students have to consider whether they are finding the surface area or volume before answering each question. In addition, students apply proportional reasoning to find the cost of the vinyl that is needed. This is an opportunity for students to revisit this prior understanding in a geometry context.
As students work on the task, monitor for students who are using different methods to decompose or compose the base of the object to calculate the area.
Launch
Arrange students in groups of 2. Make sure students are familiar with the terms “foam” and “vinyl.” For example, it may help to explain that many binders are made out of cardboard covered with vinyl. In the diagram, all measurements have been rounded to the nearest inch.
Give students 3–5 minutes of quiet work time followed by time to share their answers with a partner. Follow with a whole-class discussion.
Representation: Internalize Comprehension.
Activate or supply background knowledge by reviewing an image or video of a foam play structure. Allow students to use calculators to ensure inclusive participation in the activity.
Supports accessibility for: Memory; Conceptual processing
Student Facing
At a daycare, Kiran sees children climbing on this foam play structure.
[IMG]
Kiran is thinking about building a structure like this for his younger cousins to play on.
The entire structure is made out of soft foam so the children don’t hurt themselves. How much foam would Kiran need to build this play structure?
The entire structure is covered with vinyl so it is easy to wipe clean. How much vinyl would Kiran need to build this play structure?
The foam costs 0.8¢ per in
3
. Here is a table that lists the costs for different amounts of vinyl. What is the total cost for all the foam and vinyl needed to build this play structure?
{"table": [{"_attributes": {"border": "1"}, "thead": [{"tr": [{"th": [{"_attributes": {"scope": "col"}, "sup": [{"_value": "2"}], "_values": ["vinyl (in", ")"]}, {"_attributes": {"scope": "col"}, "_value": "cost ($)"}]}, {"td": [{"_value": "75"}, {"_value": "0.45"}]}]}], "tbody": [{"tr": [{"td": [{"_value": "125"}, {"_value": "0.75"}]}]}]}]}
Student Response
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for free access to Student Response.
Student Facing
Are you ready for more?
When he examines the play structure more closely, Kiran realizes it is really two separate pieces that are next to each other.
[IMG]
How does this affect the amount of foam in the play structure?
How does this affect the amount of vinyl covering the play structure?
Student Response
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click here to register or sign in
for free access to Extension Student Response.
Anticipated Misconceptions
For the first question, students may try to figure out the total mass of foam needed instead of the total volume. Point out that they are not given any information about how much the foam weighs and prompt them to look for a different way of answering the question “how much foam?”
Some students might see the 0.8¢ for the unit price and confuse that with
$
0.80. Remind students of their work with fractional percentages in a previous unit and that 0.8¢ must be less than 1¢.
Activity Synthesis
Select previously identified students to share how they calculated the area of the base.
Consider asking some of the following questions:
“Are there other ways to calculate the area of the base?”
“How did you know if you had to calculate surface area or volume for this problem?”
“If Kiran buys a big block of foam that is 36 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 10 inches tall and cuts it into this shape, what shapes would he be cutting off?” (A rectangular prism for the step on the left side and a triangular prism for the slide part on the right.)
“How much more would the big block of foam cost than your calculations?” (This method wastes a volume of
\(36 \boldcdot 20 \boldcdot 10 - 4,\!960 = 2,\!240\)
cubic inches of foam. This would be an extra
$
17.92 since
\(2,\!240 \boldcdot 0.008 = 17.92\)
.)
If Kiran decides not to cover the bottom of the structure with vinyl, how much would he save?” (This reduces the area of vinyl needed by another
\(36\boldcdot 20 = 720\)
square inches. This would save
$
4.32 since
\(720 \boldcdot 0.006 = 4.32\)
.)
Conversing, Listening: MLR7 Compare and Connect.
Use this routine when students share their strategies for calculating the volume of the play structure. Ask students to consider what is the same and what is different about each approach. In this discussion, listen for and amplify comments that refer to the way the figure was decomposed. Draw students’ attention to the various ways area and perimeter of the base were found and how these were represented in each strategy. These exchanges can strengthen students’ mathematical language use and reasoning based on volume and surface area.
Design Principle(s): Maximize meta-awareness


aligns: no