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  • Subject Area

    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Geometry
    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Problem Solving
    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Measurement
    • Math: PreAlgebra: Geometry
    • Math: PreAlgebra: Measurement
    • Math: PreAlgebra: Number Sense and Operations

  • Author

    Texas Instruments

  • Level

    6-8

  • Activity Time

    60 Minutes

  • Device
    • TI-15 Explorer™
  • Other Materials
      This is Activity 6 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      Developing Problem-Solving Skills with the TI-15

      The following materials are required for this activity:
    • Decimeter cube (clear plastic measuring cube)
    • Centimeter cubes (1,000)
    • Chart paper
    • Markers
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Stepping Stones

Activity Overview

Students use volume formulas and proportional reasoning to calculate the amount of concrete needed to make stepping stones of a specific size.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 38 - 44 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • One serving of lemonade uses 11 parts water, 1 part lemon juice, and 2 parts sugar
  • Calculate and record in a table how many tablespoons of each ingredient is used to make 1, 2, 3, and 4 servings


  • Use centimeter cubes to fill a decimeter cube box
  • Calculate the volume of the box


  • Identify the dimensions of each stepping stone
  • Calculate the volume of one stepping stone
  • Place the decorative object and 5-mm layer of gravel
  • Find the volume of gravel and concrete required for one stepping stone
  • Determine the total amount of gravel and concrete needed to build the whole pathway
  • Create a chart showing the calculations and the final information
  • After the Activity

    Students view each chart.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss methods and formula used
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary