Solving problems involving three-dimensional figuresMathematics Instructional Plans (MIPs) help teachers align instruction with the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Starting in Grade 1 , students compose and decompose plane and solid figures. They move to spatial structuring of rectangular arrays in Grade 2 and continually build upon their understanding of arrays to ultimately apply their knowledge to two- and three-dimensional figures in Grade 4 and Grade 5. Students move from building arrays to using arrays to find area and eventually move to decomposing three-dimensional shapes into layers that are arrays of cubes. In this module, students utilize their previous experiences in shape composition and decomposition in order to understand and develop formulas for area, volume, and surface area.
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Using the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts website, students explore the sculptural work of 20th Century Conceptual artist Sol LeWitt to expand their understanding of geometric concepts, creatively play with mathematical ideas, and be inspired to make art of their own.

The website page provides a scaffolded approach to exploring Sol LeWitt's sculpture titled "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6." culminating in a challenge for students to build a 3-D Tinkercad model of a geometry concept of their own choosing.

As we prepare students to be innovators in the world, they will need to know how to communicate design ideas effectively. Even in the age of digital design, 2D drawings are still useful in communicating design ideas and details. Knowing how to create a 3D object from a 2D drawing (3D visualization) is a critical skill. Most individuals recognize its usefulness when following illustrated assembly instructions for furniture and other structures. Engineers, architects, tradesmen, and others use 2D technical drawings to communicate how different parts of an object look and how they go together.  Doctors use flat x-ray images to determine the severity and direction of bone breaks. Clothing designers, landscapers, and even game developers use 2D drawings when communicating designs in their work environments.In this lesson, students will explore technical drawing terminology and build 3D structures by interpreting 2D diagrams.