Shipping Crate Challenge: Solving for Height
A partner station activity for 8th graders in which pairs rearrange the volume formula for a rectangular prism to solve for an unknown height. It builds skills in literal equations, inverse operations, and applying algebra to real-world design problems, and it works well as one station in a rotation.
“can you create a fun activity for partners to complete”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a single station in a rotation, allowing about 10-15 minutes per station so partners can read the scenario, rearrange the formula, and check their work.
- Discussion question: Why does dividing by the base area undo the multiplication in the volume formula, and how would the answer change if the customer had specified a different base?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the terms literal equation and inverse operations, and have partners write each step of the rearrangement on a separate line before computing numbers.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask pairs to design a second crate with a fixed volume but a different base area, then compare the resulting heights and explain which design uses less material.
- Estimated time: About 10-15 minutes of partner work, plus a brief share-out at the end of the rotation.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“can you create a fun activity for partners to complete”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a single station in a rotation, allowing about 10-15 minutes per station so partners can read the scenario, rearrange the formula, and check their work.
- Discussion question: Why does dividing by the base area undo the multiplication in the volume formula, and how would the answer change if the customer had specified a different base?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the terms literal equation and inverse operations, and have partners write each step of the rearrangement on a separate line before computing numbers.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask pairs to design a second crate with a fixed volume but a different base area, then compare the resulting heights and explain which design uses less material.
- Estimated time: About 10-15 minutes of partner work, plus a brief share-out at the end of the rotation.
Shipping Crate Challenge: Solving for Height
A partner station activity for 8th graders in which pairs rearrange the volume formula for a rectangular prism to solve for an unknown height. It builds skills in literal equations, inverse operations, and applying algebra to real-world design problems, and it works well as one station in a rotation.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free