Gumboots Away!

Activity One

The students will need to measure accurately in centimetres, calculate a simple scale, and organise their results. They need to appreciate that although the representation is simply a matter of switching the unit from centimetres to metres, the scale is actually 1 : 100 because 1 centimetre on the line drawn shows 100 centimetres (1 metre) of actual distance. This is represented by the scale statement at the top of the results chart, “1 centimetre : 1 metre”.
A table will be useful to record, convert, and analyse results.

 

Activity Two

The class will need to discuss the rules for the gumboot-throwing competition, for example, where they will throw from, how long the run up (if any) can be, and whether the throw is underarm or overarm. They will need to measure accurately with a tape measure, making sure that the tape is held taut by a partner and locked in place when reading the scale. Encourage the students to estimate the length of their throws before they measure them.
Here is an opportunity to demonstrate the relationship between metres and centimetres and to use simple decimals. A measurement such as 7 metres and 55 centimetres can be converted to 7.55 metres or 7 and 55/100 metres. 7.55 metres will then convert to 755 centimetres.
As an extension, the students could represent their throws on a scale drawing using a scale of 1 centimetre : 1 metre. This means that a throw of 7.55 metres would be represented by a line 7.55 centimetres long. The students could then draw lines to scale for their two best gumboot throws on the whiteboard or display them with string or wool on a classroom wall space. Results that compare the students’ performances may be summarised on a class chart using similar headings to that
suggested for Activity One.
A further extension could be to hold another contest, but this time using a different scale to represent the results, for example, 1 centimetre : 5 metres, or throw, measure, represent, and compare different objects, such as a tennis ball or a rugby ball. Throws may be estimated and measured with a trundle wheel or markers set out on the grounds, which students can use to measure their throws.

Answers to Activity

Activity One
1. Suzie threw the gumboot 8 m, 8 m, and 5 m.
Mere threw the gumboot 6 m, 9 m, and 5 m.
Theo threw the gumboot 8 m, 7 m, and 9 m.
Duncan threw the gumboot 9 m, 4 m, and 4 m.
2. Suzie: 16 m
Mere: 15 m
Theo: 17 m
Duncan: 13 m
3. Theo, Suzie, Mere, Duncan
4. Theo, with a total of 17 m for his top two throws
Activity Two
Practical activity