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Conversions: Metrics Made Easy
Subject Area:
Math
Grade Level(s):
7-8
Duration of Activity:
2 days
Description of Activity:
The students will convert standard units of measurement to metric units using tape measures, meter sticks, and rulers.
Objectives:
- The students will use standard units of measurements to solve application problems by measuring each other’s heights.
- The students will compare standard and metric units of measurements. They will convert centimeters to feet, for example.
- The students will be able to convert one metric unit of measurement to another metric unit of measurement, centimeters to kilometers for example.
- The students will make conversions using on-line calculators and converters.
Materials/Equipment:
- Meter stick
- Paper
- Pencil
- Metric tape measure
- Standard tape measure
- Calculators
- Ruler with inch markings
- Computers
- Typing paper
- Handout 1: Metric Conversions Explained
- Handout 2: Contrary Conversions
- Handout 3: Height Chart
- Handout 4: Metrics Learned
Prerequisites (skills or background needed):
- Knowledge of the basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- A working knowledge of decimals and fractions
- Basic knowledge of standard units of measurement
- Introduction to proportions
Procedure
Teacher Component:
The teacher will
Day one
- give the students the terms to be used and define them. Terms should include the metric terms millimeter, centimeter, decimeter, meter, hectometer, and kilometer as well as the standard measurements inch and foot.
- draw a line on the board and mark with the metric units inserted in order of size.
- explain the rules for converting within the metric system using Handout 1: Metric Conversions Explained.
- explain proportions and demonstrate how to change one unit of measure to another unit of measure. For example, change 15 inches to centimeters.
- distribute Handout 2: Contrary Conversions and instruct students to complete the handout by finding specific measurements and using a conversion chart to convert one metric unit to another metric unit.
- demonstrate the correct way to measure a person’s height.
- assign students to groups of three or four and have them measure each other’s heights and record their data using Handout 3: Heights Chart.
- assign certain groups to determine their results in metric (centimeters) and other groups to determine their results in standard units of measurement (inches).
Day two
- monitor the class as they use one of the conversion calculators from the list of Web sites to convert the measurements they have made and recorded on Handout 2: Contrary Conversions and Handout 3: Heights Chart
The converters can be found at these Web sites:
- facilitate a discussion on the students’ heights as they compare their heights.
Student Activities:
The student will
Day one
- write down the given terms and define them.
- copy the example of the ruler line of metric numbers from the board and work sample problems provided by the teacher and convert numbers within the metric system.
- complete Handout 2: Contrary Conversions by finding specific measurements and using a conversion chart to convert one metric unit to another metric unit.
- get into groups and measure all members of the group using tape standard or metric tape measures as assigned by the teacher.
- keep a log of the heights of each person in the group using Handout 3: Height Chart.
Day two
- use a calculator, pencil, and paper to convert their measurements by setting up the correct proportion and then doing the calculations. Students will continue to use Handout 2: Contrary Conversions and Handout 3: Height Chart.
- use the computer to log onto one of the Web sites and use the conversion calculators to check his or her conversions.
- discuss and compare each other’s height conversions.
Accommodations:
- Have a small stepladder or stool available in the classroom for shorter students to use when measuring taller classmates.
Extension Activities:
- The students could take the data of their heights and use Microsoft Excel to make a bar graph, a double bar graph, and/or a line graph to show comparisons by group and gender.
- The teacher could take the students’ heights in centimeters and allow students to create a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel or other comparable software and graph their heights in meters.
Integration:
Assessments:
- The students will be graded on their individual group performance.
- The students will be graded on their conversions and graphs.
- Handout 4: Metrics Learned
URLs:
Curriculum Frameworks
Mississippi:
Seventh Grade
- Apply concepts and perform the basic operations with decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers. (P, M, N)
- Compares, orders, rounds, and estimates decimals.
- Use units of measurement with standard systems. (P, D, M, G, N)
- Convert within a standard measurement system (English and metric).
- Uses standard unit of measurement to solve application problems.
- Develop and apply the basic operations of integers. (P, D, M, G, N)
- Add, subtracts, multiply, and divides integers and rational numbers with and without calculators.
- Survey and apply concepts of ratio, proportion, and percent. (P, D, M, G, N)
- Convert among ratios, decimals, and percents
8th Grade
- Apply concepts and perform basic operations using real numbers.
(P, D, G, N)
- Solve real-life problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers
- Use basic concepts of number sense and perform operations involving order
of operations, exponents, scientific notation. (P, M, N)
- Simplify expressions using order of operations
- Multiply and divide numbers by powers of ten
- Evaluate and estimate powers, squares, and square roots with and without calculators
- Convert and use standard units (English and metric) of measurement.
(P, D, M, G, N)
- Measure line segments and find dimensions of given figures using standard measurements.
- Select appropriate units of measurement for real-life problems.
National Educational Technology Standards (NETS):
- Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research. (3, 5)
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems. (5, 6)
TerraNova:
10 Measurement (Level 10-21/22)
Demonstrate an understanding of measurement systems, units, and tools by describing, calculating, or estimating size, location, and time; by using the concepts of perimeter, area, volume, capacity, weight, and mass; and by identifying appropriate degrees of accuracy.
Solve problems involving principles of measurement, rate, and scale.
Use manipulatives to explore shapes, area, and perimeter; and to model and represent measurement problems.
Describe measurement processes, compare techniques, estimate, and communicate estimation strategies.
47 Decimals (Level 13-20)
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
49 Integers (Level 17-21/22)
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers.
Link and Feedback to Author(s):
Alma Gates, Chambers Middle School, Arcola, MS
precious@teacher.com
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