Small Groups
In this activity, students will gain a knowledge and understanding of both the metric and customary systems of measuring length with rulers, meter / yardsticks, and tape measures.
For each student:
For teacher:
Additional Resources
Literature:
How Tall How Short How Faraway by David A. Adler
Measuring by Sheila Cato
Use accurate terminology to demonstrate and explain Metric and Customary Units of Length Measurement. Encourage students to also use correct terminology.
Vocabulary
Customary: A system of measurement used in the United States. The system
includes units for measuring length, capacity, and weight.
Units of Length Measurement in Customary System: | ||
one foot (ft or ') | = | 12 inches (in or ") |
one yard (yd) | = | 36 inches |
= | 3 feet | |
1 mile (mi) | = | 5,280 feet |
= | 1,760 yards |
1. Become mathematical problem solvers.
2. Make mathematical connections.
Invitation to Learn
Have students work in partners/cooperative groups to list as many occupations
as possible where tools are used for measuring. Students should also list what
tools are used with each job. Discuss why it is important to learn how to use
these tools in real life situations.
Instructional Procedures
Curriculum Integration
Journal writing: Discuss how measurement is used in occupations. Use
rulers as an additional way to teach fractions. Students, working with a partner,
measure themselves and each other, then make a half-size selfportrait on butcher
paper. They may draw clothes, hair, etc., to make the half-size me look like
themselves. Construction paper and yarn may also be used for clothes and hair.
(This activity may be done by customary, to the nearest inch, or metric measuring,
to the nearest centimeter.)
Possible Extensions/Adaptations/Integration
“Inches” or “Metric Measurement” Games
Social Studies—Students interview parents or other relative to discover how measurement is used in their jobs. Graph the class results.
Math—The measuring activities may also be done in the metric system.
Homework & Family Connections
Students take a 3" x 12" piece of tag board home and teach parents
or siblings how to fold and label their own “magic inch.”
Students estimate and then measure items in their homes and record answers on “Measuring in Feet and Inches” worksheet.
Students will estimate the measurement of several items, then measure them and record answers on a copy of the “Measuring in Feet and Inches” worksheet.
Students write the correct measurements on an enlarged inch (blackline included).