Discovery Education
By the Foot: The History of Measurement
When is a foot not a foot? When you use the length of your own foot to measure distances, of course. To underscore the importance of standardized units of measurement, middle schoolers engage in a series of activities that ask them to...
Curated OER
It's All in the Measurements
Study customary measurements with your sixth graders. They will investigate linear and capacity measurements to then measure and convert linear and capacity units. Finally they will work in small groups to conduct experiments. Resources...
Curated OER
My Foot and the Standard Foot
Young mathematicians put one foot in front of the other as they learn how to measure length in an elementary math lesson. Using paper cutouts of their own feet, children measure classroom objects as they discover the importance of...
Virginia Commonwealth University
General Construction Measurement and Dimensions
Learners construct their understanding of measurement and dimensions in this step-by-step approach that begins with an all group vocabulary introduction, consisting of measuring objects and dialoging using measurement vocabulary....
EngageNY
Getting the Job Done—Speed, Work, and Measurement Units
How do you convert from one measurement to another? Pupils use unit rates to convert measurements from one unit to another in the 21st segment in a 29-part series. They convert within the same system to solve length, capacity,...
Curated OER
Discovering Pi/Welcome to Pi Day
Students explore pi. In this circle measurement lesson, students define and identify radius, diameter, circumference, and perimeter. Students work in groups to measure several plastic lids and record their findings. Students compare the...
Curated OER
Measuring to the Nearest Foot
Second graders measure and record the length of five different objects around the room. They watch as the teacher measures items using a ruler. A ruler is a foot long. Everyone listens and watches as the teacher continues to teach that a...
Curated OER
Fun With Adhesives
Students observe, measure, and record the properties in making objects stick together using science tools. In this science lesson, students explore with their senses while mixing flour and water. Additionally, students share their...
Curated OER
The Changing Me
Third graders study the human body. In this health lesson, 3rd graders discuss that everyone's body is growing, measure body parts using a tape measure, and color the body worksheet.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Charting the Progress of New Horizons
In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...
Curated OER
Measuring: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
Students examine why having standardized units of measurement is important. They investigate the use of non-standard measure, twigs, while measuring the piece of tape. Next, they experiment with straws, paper clips, and rulers before...
Curated OER
Jack and The Beanstalk Estimation
Introduce the day's lesson by reading Jack and The Beanstalk by Richard Walker, and then review the concept of area with your class. We don't always need rulers to measure, though! Teach learners how to use their hands to help us measure...
Curated OER
Measure
Students are asked what activities or things that they do each day. They are then asked do you do that in the morning, afternoon, or night? Students are then asked which of those things do you do first, second, third, and etc.
Curated OER
How Big is a Foot?
Introducing measurement can be as simple as reading a book and then using measurement tools to understand how big a foot really is. The class reads and discusses the book How Big is a Foot? by Rolf Myller, stopping often to consider...
Curated OER
Get a Leg Up
Traveling through space is an amazing experience, but it definitely takes a toll on the body. After reading an article and watching a brief video, learners perform an experiment that simulates the effects of zero gravity on the...
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)
Sonar Mapping of the Ocean Floor
Eighth graders participate in an experiment that emulates a sonar signal bouncing off the ocean floor. They determine how the ocean floor is measured by the length of time it takes for the sonar signal to return. They work with a wooden...
Curated OER
Bounce Back Ball
Fifth graders work in teams of four to measure the rebound heights of a tennis ball dropped from four different heights. They investigate with the bouncing balls to measure changes in the type of energy they possess.
Curated OER
The Time of Man
Students demonstrate visually Mankind's relative place on the earth's timeline. They familiarize themselves with the use of the metric system in measuring and producting a timeline.
Curated OER
Creating a Structure Lab
Students construct a paper structure that supports a standard hard cover textbook at least 12 inches above a flat sturdy surface for a minimum of 30 seconds. They explain what a blueprint is. Students build the structure entirely out of...
Curated OER
Simple Machines/Technology
Third graders examine the concept of work as the movement of an object through a distance. They define gravity and determine what type of work is caused by gravity. They measure how far an object is moved by a force. They make a...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Historical Climate Cycles
What better way to make predictions about future weather and climate patterns than with actual climate data from the past? Young climatologists analyze data from 400,000 to 10,000 years ago to determine if climate has changed over...
Cornell University
Casting
Don't cast a great hands-on resource aside! Scholars learn about the process of casting by actually trying out an example. Plaster of Paris and cookie cutter molds help them complete the activity.
Curated OER
Fractions in Action
Investigate equivalent fractions with your class. They compare and order fractions. Then they work cooperatively in groups to experiment and problem solve with fractions using a game format. Multiple resources are provided.
Chicago Children's Museum
Simple Machines: Force and Motion
Get things moving with this elementary science unit on simple machines. Through a series of nine lessons including teacher demonstrations, hands-on activities, and science experiments, young scientists learn about forces, motion,...