MATHEMATICS

Leslie Dickie, Melanie Johnston, Mellissa Maingot and Becky Thompson

TOPIC: Measuring with Melons and Seeds, in Standard and Non-Standard units

GRADE: One or Two

MATERIALS:

Students

  • Melons for 5 groups Paper towels
  • Plates
  • Spoons
  • Buckets of soapy water
  • Newspapers (to cover desks)
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Measuring Tape and Ruler
  • Other types of fruit
  • Three Various non-standard items to be used by children: Paper clips, pennies and plastic people

Teacher

  • Knife
  • Demonstration Melon

SAFETY NOTES:

The Teacher will cut melons after estimates are made. Teacher keeps the knife.

LESSON EXPECTATIONS:

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

MENTAL SET:

Input:

Practice:

Check for understanding :

Closure:

Follow-up:

 

Worksheet

Name _________________ Date _______

Non-Standard Measurement:

Measure around the melon. --- Amount: ______________

List three methods:

____________ ______

____________ ______

____________ ______

Now measure with a tape measure.

How big around is the Melon: _____________

Place ten seeds in a row. What object will you use to measure the seeds? _________________

How many objects did your group use to measure the seeds: __________

Now measure the ten seeds with a ruler.

Your answer: __________

 

Homework

Standard and Non-Standard Units of Measure

Name: _________________Date: __________

Find an object at home to measure using your feet and then use a ruler or tape measure to check the measurement of the object?

Name of object ___________

Answer using your feet: __________

Answer using a ruler or measuring tape: _________

What other parts of your body could you use to measure with? ___________________________________________

Parent’s Signature:_____________________

Lesson Extensions and Integration with Other Subjects:

1. Nutrition/health

Working with fruits such as melons can lead to a discussion about the four food groups and healthy diets.

2. Social Studies

Working with standard and non-standard units of measurement can lead to a discussion about what people from other parts of the world use to measure with (i.e., standard units of measurement can vary from country to country, such as the Metric or Imperial system, or the Abacus).

3. Language

Reading stories and poems relating to measurement can provide another context for students’ understanding of this topic.

4. Music

Students can learn and sing the song "Inchworm." This can be tied to a discussion about other systems of measurement, such as the Imperial system, for students unfamiliar with the concept of "inch."

5. Art

Students can make a "centimetre worm" out of Plasticine, clay, cardboard, or other rigid materials. They can make their "centimetre worm" ten centimetres long (because the metric system is based on tens) and use it to measure with.