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

Measuring Me

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L148

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 third in an eight-part unit from Illuminations titled “Traveling Along: Measuring and Mapping,” students use yarn to measure lengths such as arm span and height. This gives the students practice measuring with nonstandard units. Pairs of students also compare their height and arm spans. They practice problem-solving and reasoning skills by discussing why there are similarities and differences between the lengths of yarn that represent arm spans and height.

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 4.02: Observe and describe how various tools and units of measure are useful:
      • Scissors.
      • Pencils.
      • Crayons.
      • Paper clips.
      • Hammers.
    • Objective 4.03: Use nonstandard units of measure to describe and compare objects.