Measuring Metrically

"Come on boys and girls put your snow gear on...
 we're going outside for an exciting math lesson."

The recent blizzard gave us the perfect opportunity to collect data and use our knowledge of metric measurements. The children worked with a partner to predict the height of a snowbank which measured exactly one meter, another at less than one meter and finally a third at greater than one meter. After each prediction the children used their meter sticks to accurately measure the snow height and then recorded the data for further discussion in class.

Natalie and Mia work hard to record their data; less than one meter.

Ramsay & Megan's prediction was perfection; exactly one meter!

Erin & Bea locate a snowbank that is greater than one meter.

Once inside our warm classroom we recorded our data and were sure to draw a detailed drawing so we could go outside and double check our results.

Common Core Standards Addressed:

2.MD.A.1: Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes. 

 2.MD. A.3: Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. 

2.MD.A.4:Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Measuring Our Heights Metrically

The children used meter sticks to estimate the height and arm span of their fellow students.  They estimated that all of the children's heights were at least one meter, or 100 centimeters high, but less than two meters or 200 centimeters high. Then we got to work and measured ...and measured...and...

Bea works hard to measure Alex's height..."got it Mrs. Madden it's 134 cm!"

Once we completed our data collection we used the information to make comparisons.  The students recorded the data in their math journals and made several observations based on the data we collected from our sample. We realized that Bea, Natalie and Alex are all 134 centimeters tall, and that the difference between two students' heights was 20 centimeters.  Here's our thinking...

144 cm - 124 cm = 20 cm

Who knew math could be so much fun!

Colin and Cole proudly display their metric measurements!