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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

My special place at school

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L150

A lesson plan for grades K–2 Mathematics and Science

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics


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In this lesson, the fifth in an eight-part unit from Illuminations titled “Traveling Along: Measuring and Mapping,” students use nonstandard units to measure a familiar space, record the results, and explain the process. The mathematical focus of this lesson is applying measurement and spatial reasoning skills by creating a map of the students’ special place at school. Illuminations provides a checklist of spatial and measurement skills and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Use nonstandard units to measure.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of visual and spatial skills by using the measurements collected to place objects on a map.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Describe, name, and interpret relative positions in space and apply ideas about relative position.
  • Create mental images of geometric shapes using spatial memory and spatial visualization.
  • Understand how to measure using nonstandard and standard units.
  • Recognize the attributes of length, volume, weight, area, and time.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will use non-standard units of measure and tell time.
    • Objective 2.01: For given objects:
      • Select an attribute (length, capacity, mass) to measure (use non-standard units).
      • Develop strategies to estimate size.
      • Compare, using appropriate language, with respect to the attribute selected.
  • Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will identify, describe, draw, and build basic geometric figures.

Grade 2

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will recognize and use standard units of metric and customary measurement.
    • Objective 2.01: Estimate and measure using appropriate units.
      • Length (meters, centimeters, feet, inches, yards).
      • Temperature (Fahrenheit).

Kindergarten

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will explore concepts of measurement.
    • Objective 2.01: Compare attributes of two objects using appropriate vocabulary (color, weight, height, width, length, texture).
  • Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will explore the concepts of geometry.
    • Objective 3.03: Model and use directional and positional vocabulary.
    • Objective 3.04: Complete simple spatial visualization tasks and puzzles.

Science (2005)

Kindergarten

  • Goal 4: The learner will use appropriate tools and measurements to increase their ability to describe their world.
    • Objective 4.03: Use nonstandard units of measure to describe and compare objects.