Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms
Grade 6 Math · 6.G.4 · 3-Day Substitute Packet
For the Substitute
Thanks for being here today. This packet runs itself — students can work
independently. Here's the plan:
- Hand each student the packet (or this printout).
- Read the day's Worked Example aloud, then have students try the practice.
- Students show their work in the space under each problem.
- The Answer Key is at the back (last page) for you — keep it separate from students.
- If students finish early, they move to the next day's page or the Challenge.
Objective: I can find the surface area of a rectangular prism.
Name: Date:
Day 1
Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms · 6.G.4
Warm-Up
A rectangle is 4 cm by 3 cm. What is its area?
Worked Example
Find the surface area of a prism with length 4, width 3, height 2 units.
- Find the three face areas: lw = 4×3 = 12, lh = 4×2 = 8, wh = 3×2 = 6.
- Add them: 12 + 8 + 6 = 26.
- Double for the opposite faces: 2 × 26 = 52.
Answer: 52 square units
Practice — show your work
- Prism: length 2, width 2, height 3. Find the surface area.
- Cube with side 4. Find the surface area.
- Prism: length 5, width 3, height 2. Find the surface area.
Day 2
Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms · 6.G.4
Warm-Up
Look back at yesterday's example before you start.
Worked Example
Find the surface area of a cube with side 5 units.
- One face area = 5 × 5 = 25.
- A cube has 6 equal faces: 6 × 25 = 150.
Answer: 150 square units
Practice — show your work
- Prism: length 6, width 4, height 1. Find the surface area.
- A cube-shaped box has side 3. Find the surface area.
- Prism: length 10, width 2, height 5. Find the surface area.
Day 3
Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms · 6.G.4
Warm-Up
Look back at yesterday's example before you start.
Worked Example
Find the surface area of a prism with length 4, width 3, height 2 units.
- Find the three face areas: lw = 4×3 = 12, lh = 4×2 = 8, wh = 3×2 = 6.
- Add them: 12 + 8 + 6 = 26.
- Double for the opposite faces: 2 × 26 = 52.
Answer: 52 square units
Practice — show your work
Use the Challenge on Day 3.
Challenge (Early Finishers)
Find a real box at home, measure it, and find its surface area.
Answer Key — Teacher Only
Keep this page separate from students.
- 1. 32 square units (2(4+6+6) = 32)
- 2. 96 square units (6 × 16 = 96)
- 3. 62 square units (2(15+10+6) = 62)
- 4. 68 square units (2(24+6+4) = 68)
- 5. 54 square units (6 × 9 = 54)
- 6. 160 square units (2(20+50+10) = 160)