Measurements In The Metric System

Christine Fair                Farragut Career Academy 
                              2345 South Christiana
                              Chicago, Il. 60623
                              312-542-3000

Objectives:

Given teacher guidance the third grade students should be able to:
1.  Estimate, then measure to the nearest inch.
2.  Estimate, then measure to the nearest centimeter.

Materials:

A worksheet on unmarked rulers 
Meter sticks
Scissors    
Stapler
Tape measures
Items to be measured

Strategy:

This mini teach is directed toward 3rd grade students who will learn about 
centimeters, decimeters, and meters.  They will learn a centimeter is smaller 
than a meter.  It is used to measure small things.  They will understand that 
another name for 100 centimeters is one meter.  One decimeter is equal to ten 
centimeters.  One meter is equal to 100 centimeters.  The student will 
understand that each number line marks off one centimeter.  The teacher will 
emphasize the fact that before reading a ruler, make sure that they measure from 
left to right.  Students will use the meter stick to demonstrate that 100 
centimeters equal 1 meter.  The students will measure their hands, feet, the 
width of a desk, the height of a textbook and the length of a pencil.  They will 
walk around the classroom to list items and estimate their length.  Then the 
students will measure and record the exact length of each object.