LEARN NC

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

Water, water

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L289

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
mathematics (applied mathematics, measurement, probability)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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Students compare the amount of water they use in daily life with the amount allotted for each person each day on a Space Shuttle. Then, they estimate and measure the weight of, and amount of space occupied by, a gallon of water. They collect, organize, graph, analyze, and interpret data from their investigations. Illuminations provides detailed instructions for completing this activity.

Students will:

  • Recognize a gallon as a unit of capacity.
  • Estimate and measure the weight of 1 gallon of water.
  • Determine the number of pints in 1 gallon.
  • Estimate and measure in cubic inches (or cubic centimeters) the volume of containers that hold 1 gallon.
  • Compare the shapes of different containers with equivalent volumes.
  • Design a container to hold 1 gallon and a container to hold 6 gallons.
  • Collect and organize data.
  • Choose an appropriate graph.
  • Analyze and interpret data.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Select and apply appropriate standard units and tools to measure length, area, volume, weight, time, temperature, and the size of angles.
  • Select and use benchmarks to estimate measurements.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will recognize and use standard units of metric and customary measurement.
    • Objective 2.01: Solve problems using measurement concepts and procedures involving:
      • Elapsed time.
      • Equivalent measures within the same measurement system.
    • Objective 2.02: Estimate and measure using appropriate units.
      • Capacity (cups, pints, quarts, gallons, liters).
      • Length (miles, kilometers).
      • Mass (ounces, pounds, grams, kilograms).
      • Temperature (Fahrenheit, Celsius).
  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.04: Design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities for an event.

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.