Metric Olympic Games

Angela E. Scott                Wm. T. Sherman Elementary School
                               1000 W. 52nd Street
                               Chicago IL 60610
                               (312)535-1757

Objective:

The main objective of this mini-teach is for intermediate students to learn 
estimation and measurement using the metric system, metric lengths, masses, and 
areas.

Material Needed:

2-3 paper plates or pie pans
3-5 paper or plastic drinking straws
  2 bags of marbles
  3 meter sticks
    cotton puffballs
    large sponge
    large mixing bowl or bucket
    liter measuring set
    centimeter graph paper
    balance scale with weights
    student worksheet

Strategy:

                              Mini Metric Olympics

1.  Work in small groups (5) including a team captain.
2.  There are a total of six stations with a different task at each station.
    Each station should have a task card with complete instructions and
    materials available.  Each group is assigned to one station.
3.  Each captain may read the instructions to his team.  It is extremely
    important that, before each activity begins, each student estimates and
    records his/her estimate on the student score sheet.  Captains should check
    all members on the team before beginning each activity.
4.  After each team member performs the activity.  He/she measures and records
    the actual length, mass, volume or area.

                          EVENT I: COTTON BALL SHOT PUT
1. Have the students predict how far they can throw the shot put and record it.
2. Stand on the starting line and throw the cotton ball.  Each student is
   allowed one throw.
3. Measure and record the shot put.

                       EVENT II: RIGHT-HANDED MARBLE GRAB          
1. Estimate how many grams you can grab with your right hand.
2. Grab a fistful of marbles.
3. Weight them on a scale.
4. Record the weight.


                         EVENT III:  STRAW JAVELIN THROW
1. Predict how many centimeters you can throw the javelin straw.
2. Throw from the starting line.
3. Measure and record.

                          EVENT IV: PAPER PLATE DISCUS
1. Predict, in centimeters, your throwing distance and record it.
2. Throw from the starting line.
3. Measure and record.

                       EVENT V: LEFT HANDED SPONGE SQUEEZE
1. Have a sponge soaking in a large bucket of water.
2. Estimate the amount of water, in milliliters, which a student can squeeze out 
   of a sponge.
3. Measure and record. 

                           EVENT VI: BIG FOOT WAS HERE
1. Predict (in square centimeters) the area of your foot.
2. Without a shoe, trace your foot on square centimeter graph paper.
3. Calculate and record the area.     
4. Cut out the footprint and put your name and room number on it. 

Performance Assessment:

The student score sheets will have 3 columns (the estimated score, the actual 
score and the difference between these two scores).  After the games they should 
total the third column.  The winner is the student with lowest score because 
the scoring here was designed to measure how close their estimates are to their 
actual performance. 

1. How many liters of water will fill your bathtub?  Draw a cartoon and record 
   your data.

2. Select five or more containers of assorted sizes and shapes.  Can you arrange 
   them in order from least to greatest and predict their volume accurately? 
   Organize and illustrate your data. 

3. Select five or more objects of various sizes and shapes.  Can you arrange
   them from lightest to heaviest and estimate their mass accurately?  Organize
   and illustrate your data.

4. Estimate the distance of a trip to school and back home in metric units.
   Draw a map to scale that illustrates how far you walk or ride to school.
   You may choose to do this with a partner and do a combined map so that
   you are able to make comparisons.

Reference:

Mathematics and Science a Solution, Illustration By Sheryl Mercier,
Book I Introductory Investigation