Measurement is a skill required by the State of Missouri for all students to learn. You will develop skills in estimating and measuring exact length of various objects around you. Then you will write your legislator or the State Department of Education to voice your opinion about the need of this skill for your grade level.
Activity Directions
1. Listen to your teacher read Jim and the Beanstalk, Millions to Measure, or another appropriate title related to measurement. 2. Examine a ruler on the SMARTBoard with your class. Discuss the customary markings and locate 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 inches on the ruler. 3. With a partner, using the Inches Record Sheet below, choose 5 items in your classroom. Take a guess (estimate) about the length of each item and then measure each to the nearest inch and half-inch. Record your findings. 4. Now exchange papers with another group and measure their items for accuracy (were they right?). 5. With your classmates, read and discuss the information at the "Units of Length" website. 6. With your classmates and teacher explore "The Ruler Game" website on the SMARTBoard. Then practice on your own beginning with "wholes." Then try "halves" and "quarters." 7. Get a plain sheet of paper and a ruler. Draw 4 lines. The first one should be 4 inches. The second should be 5 and 1/2 inches. The third should be 2 and 1/4 inches. The fourth should be 6 and 3/4 inches. 8. Examine a metric ruler with your class on the SMARTBoard experimenting with metric measurement. 9. With a partner, using the Centimeters Record Sheet below, choose 5 items to measure. Guess (estimate) how long each will be in centimeters and then measure to the nearest centimeter. 10. Now exchange papers with another group and measure their items for accuracy (were they right?). 11. Listen to your teacher read the book Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy. Then complete the homework below. 12. Go to FunBrain Measure It website. You will record your score for EACH game and raise your hand for the teacher to come and see your score. Answer the ten questions on easy inches, medium inches, and easy centimeters. Remember, record your score and raise your hand each time! 13. Now brainstorm with your classmates the pros and cons of a person your age being able to estimate measurements and make exact measurements to write a letter to your representative. 14. Prewrite you own thoughts on paper. Then write a draft of your letter to your representative. Revise and edit. 15. Write a final copy of your letter.
