Curated OER
Estimating Distances
Students investigate distance measurement. In this middle school mathematics activity, students find the average length of their pace and use their pace to measure various unknown distances in feet and miles. Students relate their use...
Curated OER
Measure Mania
Groups of students rotate through five classroom stations to estimate, measure, and record volume, length, weight, mass, and area using both customary and metric measure. They evaluate their data to determine how close their estimates...
Curated OER
Similar Figure Word Problems
In this similar figure worksheet, students use similar figures and indirect measurement to determine distance. They use proportions of similar figures to determine scale figures. This two-page worksheet contains 8 problems. Answers...
Curated OER
Measure Up!
Students examine parallax and angular measurements. In this investigative lesson students calculate distances of objects and map their results.
Curated OER
Scale Problem
In this scale problem activity, 6th graders solve 9 different problems that include reading a map scale of a neighborhood. First, they determine the distance between each person's home as illustrated. Then, students determine the...
Radford University
Rocket Quads
How high will it fly? Pairs build straw rockets and launch them at different angles and determine the height and horizontal distance of the flight path. Teams make conjectures about how the angle affects the measured distances and use...
Curated OER
Scaling in Maps
In this recognizing map scale ratios learning exercise, students use ratios and centimeter measurements to calculate the distances in reality. Students solve 8 problems.
Curated OER
All About Measuring with the Metric System
Young scholars discover the metric system through video clips and Internet activities. In this measurements lesson, students practice using the units of measure for the metric system and compare them to the less popular English system....
Alabama Learning Exchange
Cosmic Measurements
Students develop two units of measurement to relate to the astronomical unit and the light year. In this astronomy lesson, students use a Twizzler to develop a measurement unit similar to the astronomical unit. They use a moving object,...
Curated OER
Map Scale and the Pioneer Journey
Fourth graders, using a map, ruler and calculator, determine the distance the pioneers traveled from Nauvoo, Ill. to the Salt Lake Valley.
Curated OER
Metric Measuring
Students design their dream gardens and work together to build a class model. They use software to create a virtual model. They only use metric measurements.
Curated OER
Unit 19 Scale Drawing
In these scale drawing worksheets, students read the distance problems and select the answer from the choices. Students complete 9 problems.
Curated OER
Scale from the Solar System to a Monster Bee
Sixth graders are introduced to the concept of scale. As a class, they create a model of the solar system taking into account the scale between the planets and the Sun. To end the activity, they examine "Dina the Monster Bee" and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Running Around a Track I
The accuracy required by the design and measurement of an Olympic running track will surprise track stars and couch potatoes alike. Given a short introduction, the class then scaffolds into a detailed analysis of the exact nature of the...
Curated OER
Distance in Space
Sixth graders explore space science by measuring distances between planets. In this solar system lesson, 6th graders view a Bill Nye video and discover the conversion between the metric system and imperial measuring systems. Students...
Curated OER
Comparing Distances
Students practice estimating distances by analyzing a map. In this length measurement lesson, students view a map with a distance key and use their measurement skills to estimate the distance between two cities. Students utilize an...
Curated OER
Measurement Review
Students measure the distance between two points. In this measurements lesson, students read books about birds that migrate and measure the distances that each bird flies when it migrates. Students discuss the information as a class...
Curated OER
Draw To Scale The E-Z Way
Fourth graders draw a rough floor plan of a house to scale without using a ruler to determine measurements. They see how architects use scale to draw blueprints, and solve math problems using scale.
Curated OER
Welina's World
Students living in Hawaii draw a picture of themselves in their neighborhood. They draw their neighborhood in relation to their district and then in relation to the island they are from. They compare their pictures to their classmates'...
NASA
Earth, Earth’s Moon, Mars Balloons
Very specific diameters are given for blowing up three different balloons to represent, in scale, the moon, Earth, and Mars. In groups of three, amateur astronomers explore scale measurements and distance in space.
Curated OER
Introducing the Concept: Proportions
Students measure distances. In this proportions lesson, students use a map to find how far it is between different cities. Students use their knowledge of measurement, multiplication and fractions to find the distances.
Curated OER
Exploring the Hudson in 1609
While this activity focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The activity includes vocabulary and other resources to make it a...
Curated OER
Hand Span and Height
Is there a relationship between hand span width and height? Statisticians survey each other by taking measurements of both. A table that can hold data for 24 individuals is printed onto the worksheet, along with questions for analysis....
Curated OER
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SPACE
Ninth graders set up a scale model of the solar system using the same scale for distance and diameter. They calculate scale distances and sizes for modeling the solar system and relate actual distances to difficulties in discovering and...