Measuring Fun

Designed by: Tonia Griffin     School: A. C. Moore Elementary

Grade Level: One         Subject(s): Math

Core Curriculum Objective(s): Use standard and nonstandard units to measure length. (1ME4-3)

Overview: The students will read How Big Is A Foot? by Rolf Myller. The students will discuss why the first bed was too small for the queen. Students will brainstorm other things they could use to measure things. The students will use standard and nonstandard units to measure a partner for a bed.

Focus/essential questions:

What is a standard unit that you can use to measure?

What is a nonstandard unit you can use to measure?

Time Frame: One 45 min. lesson.

Resources:

Book How Big Is A Foot? by Rolf Myller

Rulers for each student

Math Journals

Pencils for each student

Paper with preprinted sentences - My bed measures ___ standard units. My bed measures ___ nonstandard units.

Assessment: Students will measure a partner for a bed using standard and nonstandard units. Teacher will use observation and checklist to assess students on using standard and nonstandard units to measure a partner.

Rubric:

+ Students will correctly use standard (ruler) and nonstandard (feet) to measure a partner and record answers on paper under correct measurement tool.

^ Students will correctly use only one unit either standard or nonstandard to measure a partner and record answers on paper under correct measurement tool.

* Students do not use either standard or nonstandard units to measure a partner and do not record answers on paper under correct measurement tool.

Instructional Activities: 
1. Teacher will tell students today we are going to measure things using standard or nonstandard units. Teacher will ask students if they know what a standard unit is and a nonstandard unit. Teacher will identify ruler as a standard unit and her foot as a nonstandard unit.

2. Teacher and students will read story How Big Is A Foot? Students will discuss book and whether the king used a standard or nonstandard unit to measure for the bed for the queen. Students will discuss why they think the first bed was too small for the queen.

3. Teacher will tell students that they are going to measure each other for a bed using standard and nonstandard units of measure.

4. Teacher will demonstrate with a student how to measure each other with a ruler and with their own feet. Teacher will have a student to lay on the floor. Teacher will show how to use their feet by walking length of the child heel to toe counting number of steps taken. Teacher will record on board by sentence My bed measures ___ nonstandard units. Then teacher will demonstrate how to use a ruler to measure the length of the child using two rulers starting at the top of the head and laying them end to end counting the number as she goes. Teacher will record on board by sentence My bed measures ___ standard units.

5. Teacher will put students into groups of three. Students will take turn measuring each other for a bed using rulers and their feet. Students will record measurement on preprinted paper by the correct sentence. My bed measures ____ standard units. My bed measures ___ nonstandard units.

6. Teacher will circulate around room and assist students who need help and use rubric to assess student's ability to measure using standard and nonstandard units of measure.

7. If a group of students finish early they may explore measuring other items in classroom using standard and nonstandard units of measure. Students will record results in Math journals.

8. When everyone is finished have a class discussion about student's results when measuring. Which one measured more or less, and why?