Group Activity Cards

Geometry Use groups of 3 or more. Materials: Boxes (cereal, cake mix, laundry detergent, and the like), scissors, rulers

On the Surface

Each group member selects an empty cardboard box. Each group member then shows his or her box to the group, and the group votes on which box has the greatest surface area.

Determine the surface area of the box you selected by breaking and/or cutting it apart. Unfold your box and lay it flat on a desk. Measure the length and width of each section that was visible before you broke the box down. The sum of these areas is the total surface area.

Compare your results with those of the other group members. Did your group correctly guess the box with the greatest surface area?