Hello, my name is Amy and I'm 11 years old. I've lived in Gainesville, Florida all my life. Recently my dad got a new job all the way in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania! I know it's really far, but I'm excited to go somewhere new. So now Mommy, Daddy, my brother Kevin and I have to pack up and move to our new home.

It looks like everyone is all packed up except for me. Oops! It's alright though, I only have a few more things left to pack, but I need a little bit of help. I have 10 books, 15 dolls that are already in individual boxes, and my doll house. Mommy said I can only use two boxes to pack up the rest of my room. Before I can pack them, I need to know how the total volume of my things to find the best box. All of my items and their measurements are displayed on the left. Let's get multiplying.

8inx6inx1in

12inx3inx2in

3ftx2ftx1ft

Task 1:

Given the dimensions of each item, the students will need to find the combined volume of all the items.

Books: _____________ total cubic inches

Dolls: ______________ total cubic inches

Doll House: __________ total cubic feet

What is the total volume for all of Amy’s belongings?

________________ total cubic inches

Florida Mathematical Practice:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.C.3- Geometric measurement: understand concepts of volume.

Florida Mathematics Standard:

MAFS.7.G.2.6- Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms.

Reasoning:

This will allow students to use a real world situation in which they need to find the volume of a group of items in order to choose the best appropriate sized box. They will have to find the volume of each group of things, then multiply it by the number of the same sized items. They will also need to convert from feet to inches for one of the items. At the end of this task they will need to add all the items volumes together in order to find one whole number that represents all the items.

Wow! Great job on finding the volume of all my items, you're way faster than me at solving for these equations. Now we have to find the perfect two boxes to fit all this stuff in. Something's may have to be split up in order to fit properly in the boxes and not have too much empty space. My box options are to the right, please share what the best options are and why. Also, please create an illustration to help me find the best way to pack all my items for each box.

5ftxftx2ft

4ftx6ftx3ft

5ftx4ftx5ft

2ftx4ftx3ft

Task 2:

The students are now tasked to find the boxes that will fit all the items without having too much wasted space. To best explain their reasoning, they will be asked to display how to fit all the items in an illustration.

Florida Mathematical Practice:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1- Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.

Florida Mathematics Standards:

MAFS.5.MD.3.5- Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real world and mathematical problems involving volume.

Reasoning:

Furthering their ability to relate this problem to a real world problem, the students will now have to find a way to fit Amy’s belongings in two boxes. The dimensions of the boxes are given in feet, so the students will have to convert the customary units from inches to feet. They will then need multiply the dimensions of each box in order to find the total capacity in feet. The students will then use their findings in order to place the items into the appropriate boxes and explain how they will fit and why that is the best packing option.