Measurement Unit Christen Campbell EDEL 433 April 19th, 2012

Overview: This is a second grade math unit that introduces students to measuring tools and basic concepts of measuring. Standard: 2.MD.1 - Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.

Day 1:Introduction to Measuring Tools

Objective: Students Will Be Able To: -Use rulers, yardsticks, and meter sticks to measure various objects. -Work in small groups to measure objects. -Write their observations from the assignment into their math journals. Direct instruction: The teacher will begin this lesson with a whole group discussion. I will ask questions like, What are long things? What are short things? What is the opposite of long? What is the opposite of short? Next, I will put two Giraffes up on the smart board and ask, Which has a longer neck? I will then read the book, Inchworm and A Half by Randall Enos. This book is a great aid when it comes to helping students learn about basic measurement concepts, and also includes humor and a fun story that interests and engages students. Guided Practice: Students will use Popsicle sticks to measure common items found in the classroom. This activity will focus on estimation, measuring strategies, and recording data. Through class discussion students will estimate how many Popsicle sticks it will take to measure a table. We will share ideas for ways to figure this out and students will go off to measure. After recording their data we will come together to discuss our results. We will discuss why there are different answers for the same item, how we measured, and which measuring style was most effective. Finally, we will measure the table together and confirm how many sticks long it is. After this, students will work in pairs to measure other classroom items with craft sticks and record their data. In small groups, students will belly write their answer to what measurement tool they would use to measure a table. Once they are done, they will stand up. After that, all students will share their answer and have a team cheer if they all got the same answer. If they did not,

they will seek help from their teammates. Independent Practice: Students will trace their bare feet (no shoes) on a piece of construction paper and cut the shape of their foot out. Using the same measuring strategies as before students will use their feet to measure the same table and other classroom objects as were measured previously. They will then record their observations in their math journals. If they have any extra time, students will work on online math activity # 1 (see end of unit.) Assessment: Students will be assessed based on their participation. The teacher will be walking around the room to make sure students are on task and are understanding the concept. They will also be evaluated on their foot measurement observations that are written in their math journals.

Day 2: Introduction to Rulers

Objective: Students Will Be Able To: -Use rulers, yardsticks, and meter sticks to measure various objects. -Work in small groups to measure objects. -Write their observations from the assignment into their math journals. Direct Instruction: I will begin my lesson with background information about the history of measuring tools. I will explain that a foot is based on the size of a man's foot, so that when there were no measuring tools available, a man could walk toe to toe across an area to get a measurement. A yard is based on the space between the average man's normal footsteps. I will display this with the ruler and the yardstick. Of course, the measurements may not be exact, but it gives your students a good visual concept. As a point of interest, let them know that horses still today are measured in hands. I will display the 3 types of measuring tools we have. I will explain applications for each one. I will start to take measurements around the

classroom of various objects to demonstrate the use. When measuring, I will write on the board what the class estimates something to measure. Guided Practice: Students will estimate, then measure, several body parts. They will estimate first, measure second, and find the difference between their estimate and the actual measurement third before moving on to the next body part. With practice the goal is for their estimating skills and measurement skills to improve with practice and participation in class discussion. In small groups, students will do talking chips about their activity. They will each say one way they will use their new measurement experience in a real life situation. Independent Practice: After completing the activity in the guided practice section, students will complete the following chart on their own.

Estimate Measurement How far off? Length of hand Length of foot Around your wrist Around your head Length of arm If students have more time after they are finished, they will work on online math activity # 2. Assessment: Students will be assessed based on their completion and correctness of the estimate/measurement chart. They will also be assessed on participation.

Day 3: Measurement Webquest

Objective: Students Will Be Able To: -Use rulers, yardsticks, and meter sticks to measure various objects. -Use a computer and complete a webquest about measurement.

-Direct Instruction: Today, class, we will go over rules for what types of behaviors are appropriate for the computer lab. We must be respectful of the computers, because they are not ours, and we need to stay focused while on them. It is important to visit ONLY the websites that are listed on our handout. The name of the webquest is Go the Distance. The race is on. You will race to learn as much as you can about measuring distance. Each lap you complete will further your knowledge of measuring. Will you successfully reach the checkered flag? There are different types of difficulty, so if you are having a difficult time, dont worry! There is an easy route, and a challenging course. http://oops.bizland.com/gothedistance.html Guided Practice: We will start the webquest together, to avoid any confusion. You will "race" your way through the course by completing the activities found at each of the "laps." Some laps are at the computer; some are at your desk. There are seven laps. Each lap that you complete will allow you to gain and test your knowledge of customary lengths. Are you ready to start your engines? We will complete lap 1 at our desks. Using rulers and/or tape measures, and pencils, each person in your group must draw and label at least 7 lines of different lengths. Label each line with the number of inches. Independent Practice: Throughout this webquest, students will be told to work on certain laps independently. One example is, If students have extra time, they will work on the online math activity, #3. Assessment: I will have students print out one of their completed laps of the webquest to turn in to me. I will assess them on completion, participation, and effort.

Day 4: Measurement Practice

Objective: Students Will Be Able To: -Use rulers, yardsticks, and meter sticks to measure various objects. -Work in small groups to measure objects. -Write their observations from the assignment into their math journals. Direct Instruction: I will instruct my students that now they are going to measure themselves. I will give each student the 12 x 18 sheet of paper and the 24 piece of string. Next, I will have them use the string to measure around their wrist, neck and thumb. After each measurement they should cut the string at the measured point and glue the string to the paper. Clearly label each piece of string. They should notice that the wrist is about twice the circumference of the thumb, and the neck is two times that of the wrist. Guided Practice: In small groups, students will continue to work on this activity. After they are done, they will work with their team-mates to come up with a one to two minute presentation on what they did today. They can divide up the work however they choose. Students will create bullet points to use during their presentation. They will put these bullet points on a piece of butcher paper and add color. Independent Practice: Students will work on a measurement worksheet after their presentations are over. http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/my-measurements-second/ If students have extra time after they are finished, they will work on the online math activity # 4 Assessment: Students will be evaluated based on their presentations, and participation of presentation. I will also be grading the measurement worksheet.

Day 5: Measurement Bingo/Review Day

Objective: Students Will Be Able To:

-Use rulers, yardsticks, and meter sticks to measure various objects. -Work in small groups to measure objects. -Write their observations from the assignment into their math journals. Direct instruction: Students will get the chance to practice measurement and reinforce the essential math skills we have learned throughout the week. I will sort students into small groups before we start playing. During this game, students will be able to read measurements and use different units of measurement. Before playing this game I will review the measurement concepts we went over this week. I will explain the basic rules of bingo and how the game will be played. Guided Practice: Students will play Measurement Bingo in small groups. They will do this until someone from their group wins. The teacher will come over and check to make sure students are playing fairly, and correctly. After one of the students wins a round, they will clear their boards, and start over. Independent Practice: Students will write two paragraphs about what they have learned this week about measurement. They will include their favorite activity, and why they liked it, what the struggled with, what they wish they could have learned about measurement, and any other additional comments they would like to add. If students have any additional time, they will work on online math activity #5. Assessment: I will assess students based on their written responses on measurement. My rubric will be based on the students answering the appropriate questions in their response. I will also evaluate them on participation and effort. 1. http://www.funbrain.com/measure/

I really love this website because it offers easy, medium, and hard options. It is simple enough for second graders to figure out, and it deals with measuring in both centimeters and inches. 2. http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/sleuths-on-the-loose/ This website is from PBS kids, and it is full of wonderful educational and information games. This game requires students to be sleuths and find the height of certain objects. 3. http://www.rickyspears.com/rulergame/ This game is great because it teaches students to read a ruler. It gives the option of having the timer on or off, and asks a variety of questions about each increment level. It also gives a thorough explanation of why it is important to know how to read a ruler. 4. http://www.teacherled.com/resources/oldscales/oldscalesload.html Students are able to learn more about scales in a simple, and very visual way. They get to choose certain items to put on the scale, and then choose how much weight they want to put on the other side. This lets them figure out how much weight is equal to certain objects and is very simple for struggling students. 5. http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/pour-score/ Again, I really love PBS kids! This game focuses on measuring liquid. This can be a tough concept for students, and this is a simple matching game. Students get to pour liquids into different containers and then do simple subtraction to figure out what goes where.