Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to engage students in using standard measuring tools in a non-standard manner.
Achievement Objectives
GM3-1: Use linear scales and whole numbers of metric units for length, area, volume and capacity, weight (mass), angle, temperature, and time.
Description of Mathematics
In readiness for this problem, the students should have familiarity with each of the following components of mathematics. The problem may be solved with different combinations of these components.
- addition and subtraction basic facts
- metric measures of length
- converting between mm and cm
- using a ruler (cm and mm)
- working with numbers to one decimal place
This activity may be carried out with guidance, or by allowing the student to follow their own method of solution.
The example responses below give an indication of the kind of response to expect from students who approach the problem in particular ways.
Activity
How long is this piece of string?
Prompts from the teacher could be:
- How is the ruler marked?
- Where does the string sit against the ruler?
- If the string was lined up at the zero mark, where would the other end be?
- How long is the piece of string?
The visual approach
- The student is able to modify or to make a model of the diagram to make a successful measurement.
Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to close.
The conceptual approach
- The student is able to use the diagram given to give the correct measurement.
Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to close.
Attachments
HowLongIsAPieceOfString__full.pdf181.21 KB
HowLongIsAPieceOfString__visual.pdf220.18 KB
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Level Three