LEARN NC

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

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Whole language reading: Pumpkin pie baking activity
A whole language literature-based reading lesson that culminates in a cooking extension activity.
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts and Mathematics)
By Amy Durso.
Plant power
Students will plant their own seeds in potting soil and measure plant growth. Before the students' plants are visible above the soil, students will explore the parts and functions of classroom plants and compare growth between the classroom plants. Using the weather channel website, students will predict whether the day's weather conditions are excellent, good, or poor for plant growth.
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics and Science)
By Rhonda Hathcock.
Measuring weight
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 4.3
In this lesson, students will build an understanding in the difference between density and weight. They will measure objects with a triple beam balance and record their findings.
Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics and Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Measurement centers
During a center-based activity groups of students will rotate around the classroom practicing non-standard unit of measurement concepts. In addition, they will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with measuring with rulers and will participate in a lesson about capacity.
Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)
By Amy Kershaw.
Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate!
Using chocolate as a theme, students will become involved in reading, writing, math, word study/spelling and other developmentally appropriate (integrated) activities. The unit includes centers for the classroom along with whole group activities.
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts and Mathematics)
By Luwonna Oakes.

Resources on the web

The weight of things
This lesson introduces and provides practice with the measurable attributes of weight. It also gives an opportunity to assess student knowledge of and skill in using measurement of mass. This learning experience focuses students’ attention on the attributes... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Shadows
This Science NetLinks lesson is part of a three-part series in which students observe the daytime and nighttime sky regularly to identify sequences of changes and to look for patterns in these changes. In this lesson, students will explore making shadows.... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics and Science)
Provided by: Science Netlinks
More or less estimator
This activity allows the user to estimate quantities and sizes including the number of objects in a set, the lengths of a curve, and the area of a shape (Learn more)
Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–12 Mathematics)
Provided by: Shodor
Measuring with teacher's feet
In this lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Going Places: Measuring and Mapping,” students use nonstandard units to measure the distance between objects found in their classroom. They create a nonstandard unit by using... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Measuring with our foot
In this lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Going Places: Measuring and Mapping,” students measure distances using an outline cutout of their own foot. This enables students to practice using nonstandard units and to compare... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Measuring me
In this lesson, 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... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
The length of my feet
This lesson, the first of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Magnificent Measurement,” focuses students' attention on the attributes of length and develops their knowledge of and skill in using nonstandard units of measurement. It... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Learning to measure with ladybug
This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Going Places: Measuring and Mapping,” focuses on geometric concepts, location, navigation, direction, spatial relationships and measurement concepts, using nonstandard units to measure... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics and Science)
Provided by: Illuminations
Ladybug lengths
This lesson captures students' interests, provides an introduction to and practice with the measurable attributes of length, and assesses student knowledge. This experience focuses student attention on the attributes of length and gives students the opportunity... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
How many steps?
In this lesson, students participate in activities in which they focus on the uses of numbers. The activities use the theme of games to develop concepts of measurement and statistics. Students are asked to measure distances using standard and nonstandard... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
How long? How wide? How tall? How deep?
In this lesson, students will use historical nonstandard units to estimate the lengths of common objects and then measure using modern standard units. They will discover the usefulness of standardized measurement units and tools. Illuminations provides... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Helping ladybug hide with arrows and angles
In this lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Going Places: Measuring and Mapping,” students use a Java applet to hide a ladybug under a leaf. This requires experimentation, planning, and understanding of spatial relationships... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Get the turtle to the pond
This lesson from Illuminations provides opportunities for creative problem solving while encouraging young students to estimate length and angle measure. Students are asked to enter a sequence of LOGO commands to help the turtle get to the pond. Children... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Estimation and measurement
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students are introduced to the concept of units of measurement. Students will first measure with the idea of units in mind and then be challenged to consider why it is important to have standardized units of measurement.... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics and Science)
Provided by: Science Netlinks
Drop by drop
In this lesson, the third of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Magnificent Measurement,” students recognize and use the attributes of volume. They engage in activities that promote understanding of how to measure volume using standard... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations