Measurement

Tina Hudson                    Garrett A. Morgan
                               8407 S. Kerfoot
                               Chicago IL  60620
                               (312) 535-3366

Objectives:
    The main objective of my Mini-teach is to introduce and review the use of 
the Standard Metric System.  After which, students will be introduced to 
alternative ways to measure distance, time, and temperature.  My lesson will be 
targeted to fourth and fifth graders.  My main focus is to allow students to use 
parts of their bodies to calculate measurements of different objects and areas 
of space.  The activities will be designed to lead the students to an 
understanding of the measuring system presented.  The students will then be able 
to graph and use their informational data to compare with the other students. 
    The students will begin with the definition of a Basic Measurement.  A Basic 
Measurement is the distance between two points that can be measured and may be 
named length, width, height, radius or diameter.  In order to use body parts for 
measuring, the Standard Metric system should be primarily taught.  This will 
help the student and improve his understanding for measuring with alternatives.  
I am going to work with the simple idea that the distance between two points can 
be measured. 

Strategy:
                               INTRODUCTION      
    Two students are asked to open the activity with volunteering to participate 
in the unannounced subject.  They are each given a Superball.  In class there 
are two stairways, where the students are going to engage in a race to the top 
of the stairs using the Superball.  They are to bounce the Superball once on 
each step as they race to the top.  The other students are asked to clap their 
hands as a measuring tool for time.  The recorder announces a winner, which is 
the student who has made it to the top of the stairs using the least amount of 
claps.  The instructor should not dictate to the students the rhythm or how to 
clap their hands.  The observation point is to watch and listen to the way the 
students will or will not cooperate with one another concerning the rhythm.  Now 
the students should be asked what they think they just accomplished.  The 
rounded response may be: calculated time by using their body parts, which were 
their hands. 

    Students may now be told that their body parts can be used as measuring 
devices.  The remaining activities will allow the students to participate in fun 
activities that involve measuring length, distance, and temperature, using their 
own body parts.
                       Activity: MEASURING THE WHITE BOARDS 
    Using the span of their hands, the students will create their own hand 
ruler.  Each student will use a undefined length of register tape paper and 
measure the span of their hand.  They will mark the paper after each hand 
measurement.  The length may be any that they desire.  This will promote 
interest on how the students will measure the white boards.  If one student 
measures 10 (ten) hand spans and another measures 5 (five) hand spans, then they 
should realize that the one with the shorter hand ruler will have to add twice 
as many times as the other.  

    When students have completed this activity, they should see the resulting 
data and notice that all hand measurements are not the same.  This will promote 
questions as to why the hand measurements were different.  The instructor can 
now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using your body parts as an 
alternative to the Standard Metric System.  Some answers that evolved 
were:everyone has different hand sizes, some small, some big, you always have 
your body parts with you as an advantage.

                        Activity: BODY LENGTH OF THE ROOM
    Each student will now use their actual body length to measure as a measuring 
tool to calculate the length of their classroom.  Students will choose a partner 
and one student will lay on the floor closest to a wall to start measurement.  
The other student will place his foot at the end of the student's foot who is 
lying down.  The end of the student's foot will be a measurement of one complete 
body for that student.  The group will repeat this until the group has measured 
the entire length of the room, one way.  Students are then advised to try this 
at home and measure different parts of their home with their body length, with 
the help of another. 
    
                  Activity: MEASURE GRASS LENGTH USING YOUR FOOT            
    Promote discussion on shoe sizes.  Explain that they vary, and that women 
shoe sizes are different from men shoe sizes.  Students will go outside.  Each 
child will use their own foot measurement to measure the length of the grass.  
They will start at the edge of the grass, putting one foot in front of the other 
and count until the distance is completed.  Complete and compare the data with 
other students. 

                         Activity: MEASURING TEMPERATURE
    Students are asked to use body parts to calculate a general estimate of 
temperature.  Materials used includes a cup of hot water, a can of cold pop, and 
a warm towel.  Students will touch each object, telling the other students which 
objects are warmer and colder without using a thermometer.  Students will 
discuss results and realize that they just used their body parts to measure 
temperature.  Some students may experiment and us different body parts to 
measure temperature.  Some students used their fingers, tongue, and jaw cheeks.  

Assessment:
    Students should now understand that they can use alternative measuring 
devices.  The fun part of their data is that they can use their very own body 
parts.  They are free and always with you.  Disadvantages may include the fact 
that measuring with body parts can also result in inaccurate measurements 
because everyone can have different size body parts. 
    Students will be given a metric ruler.  They will be asked to find a part of 
their body that measures exactly one inch.  They can test their findings by 
measuring a sheet of notebook paper.  Now the students will understand that they 
have a permanent measuring tool right on their body and can be used at all times. 

VOCABULARY                              MATERIALS
body parts                                  body and body parts
span                                        register tape
                                            pencil
                                            Superball
                                            metric ruler