Measuring Lesson Plans and Metric System Conversions
Students may review measurement, and metric system conversions by measuring one another and the world around them.
By Donna Iadipaolo
Kids are constantly wondering how they measure up. But they also revel in the hands-on activity of measuring—especially measuring one another's height. Measuring each other's height can be a fun-filled and educational precursor to reviewing conversion equations for middle school or high school students. Leaving the parameters of such an activity open allows students to choose what units they will use, and helps them determine how to obtain an accurate measurement. Giving students a directive to record height measurement in both metric and standard form, for example, makes them think about whether to apply a set conversion formula, or simply measure again using the other side of the ruler.
So before you go to the blackboard and lecture about the different equations for converting English to metric (or vice versa), you may start by giving students a variety of measuring tools to examine. Challenge them to determine approximate conversions between a cup and a milliliter simply by examining a measuring cup’s markings. See how close they can get to the number of centimeters in an inch just by looking at a ruler. Invite them to choose appropriate things to measure using both measuring systems and have them create a table to determine the conversion factor by examining the patterns within their collected data.
Another simple way to start off a measurement unit with middle school and high school students is to simply brainstorm a list of all the units of measurement that they know. Then ask them to think of various categories in which they can place their results. Students may wish to categorize by length, area, or volume. Similarly students may wish to think of their units in terms of different dimensions. Yet another approach students could use is to categorize by what they are measuring, such as height, amount of liquid, or temperature. Additionally, a teacher might initially choose to pass out a wide variety of measuring tools for students to use such as rulers, tape-measures, yard sticks, measuring cups, thermometers, and measuring spoons. You could also have students measure the dimensions of their classroom, or area of their desks in various units, again developing a feel for the conversion factors themselves.
Perhaps one of the best introductions to measurement can be having students actually come up with their own non-standard units to approximate conventional systems. Maybe even ask students to create their own measurement standard. Here are some measurement lesson plans that can get your students started.
Measurement Lesson Plans:
Students choose appropriate units to measure a variety of objects and practice their conversion calculations. This lesson also offers students a review of math concepts covered previously, including ratios an order of operations.
Measuring Up: Discovering Gallon Man
Students create a “Gallon Man” to examine liquid measurement equivalences between gallons, quarts, pints, and cups. This lesson also comes with activity sheets and assessment options.
Students use children’s literature, visual drawings, recipes, and hundreds boards to examine measurement. They practice coverting gallons to half gallons to quarts to pints.
Students record and analyze indoor and outdoor temperature, as well as investigate temperatures in other parts of the world. They also practice using metric units for calculating length, area, and volume.
