Volume, in a mathematical sense, offers a three dimensional observation of an object. The volume of a container, for example, determines how much space is within the container. Volume is presented in cubic units. Volume is deciphered by multiplying the length of the object by the width of the object by its height. An object, six inches tall by six inches wide by two inches high has a volume measurement of 72 cubic units. Another way to calculate volume is to multiply the area of the object by two.
Auditory volumes rise and fall all of the time during a piece of music. Third grade music students may learn the language associated with musical volume. Volume ranges from pianissimo to forte. Pianissimo indicates the softest volume and forte is the loudest. Pianissimo and forte demarcations can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc. on a page of music to indicate greater intensities of quietness or loudness.
Students working on a school play may learn vocal exercises related to volume. Warming up the vocal chords and the diaphragm, for example, are important for speaking clearly and being heard by large audiences. Students may hum or make various sounds, ranging in volume, to prepare and relax the throat and diaphragm muscles. Vocal exercises are important for general theatrical stage acting or musical theatre performance.
Working on volume appropriate for indoor settings helps students understand how to control themselves vocally in given situations. Students may explore outdoor voices in a loud or boisterous manner and compare that to indoor voices that are quieter and produce a general conversational tone. Breaking down the idea of volume and voice in terms of inches is another way to communicate the lesson. Using a "six-inch voice," for example, means using a volume that only a person six-inches away from you can hear.