In this five lesson unit with overview from Illuminations, student activities explore relationships among fractions through work with the length model. Students construct fraction strips and use fraction bars throughout the unit to make sense of basic fraction concepts, to compare fractions and order fractions and to work with equivalency in fractions. Specific learning objectives, a material list, an instructional plan, questions for the students, assessment options, extensions, and teacher reflections are given for each lesson.

Students learn about common geometry tools and then learn to use protractors (and Miras, if available) to create and measure angles and reflections. The lesson begins with a recap of the history and modern-day use of protractors, compasses and mirrors. After seeing some class practice problems and completing a set of worksheet-prompted problems, students share their methods and work. Through the lesson, students gain an awareness of the pervasive use of angles, and these tools, for design purposes related to engineering and everyday uses. This lesson prepares students to conduct the associated activity in which they “solve the holes” for hole-in-one multiple-banked angle solutions, make their own one-hole mini-golf courses with their own geometry-based problems and solutions, and then compare their “on paper” solutions to real-world results.

This interactive lesson encourages young students to solve problems by estimating angles and distances. They use an applet to give LOGO-like commands, e.g. forward (length), turn (right or left) to make a path that moves a turtle to a pond. Students can create a Path 1 and Path 2 and try to minimize the total path length. There is a newer applet (Turtle Pond, cataloged separately) that allows for adding or editing the commands and a choice of right angles only, or angles in multiples of 15 degrees. The lesson provides suggestions for implementation and discussion questions.

In this activity students practice measuring techniques by measuring different objects and distances around the classroom. They practice using different scales of measurement in metric units and estimation.

How many cubes will fit? This 3 Act Task by Graham Fletcher begins with a picture of an empty cube and one unifix cube inside it. First students make observations and estimates to begin determining how many unifix cubes would fit in the empty cube. Students can then use images with the dimensions of the cube and unifix cube to determine how many unifix cubes fit into the cube. Students are estimating, visualizing, measuring, adding and multiplying fractions and whole numbers to determine the volume of the cube.

Compare length using indirect comparison by finding objects longer than, shorter than, and equal in length to that of a string.

In this particular lesson, I would begin with a variety of animal cards. We could then discuss what students notice about the animals. We could also sort the animals in order on the picture card, stressing to use the language shortest, longest, equal. From there, I would then continue the application of comparing with the length of string and going through the questions that are presented in the task.

It may be difficult for students to notice the string as a tool to compare lengths and use for measurement. Be sure to surface this through class discussions, hoping the students will bring this understanding to light rather than the teacher telling them.

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students learn how to read and interpret a distance–time graph.

In this activity, learners use their hands as tools for indirect measurement. Learners explore how to use ratios to calculate the approximate height of something that can't be measured directly by first measuring something that can be directly measured. This activity can also be used to explain how scientists use indirect measurement to determine distances between things in the universe that are too far away, too large or too small to measure directly (i.e. diameter of the moon or number of bacteria in a volume of liquid).

This lesson, from Illuminations, gives students practice in measurement and in displaying and interpreting data through box-and-whisker plots. Students may draw the plots themselves or use the online Box Plotter tool. Learning objectives, materials, student questions, extensions, teacher reflections, and NCTM Standards alignment are provided.

In this math lesson, learners read the book "How Big Is a Foot?" by Rolf Myller. Then, learners create non-standard units (using their own footprints) and use the footprints to make "beds." As a result, learners explore the need for a standard unit of measure. This lesson guide includes questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions.

In this math lesson, learners read the book "How Big Is a Foot?" by Rolf Myller to explore the need for a standard unit of measure. Students then create non-standard units (using their own footprints) and use the footprints to make "beds." This lesson guide includes a student activity sheet, questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions.

This lesson emphasizes the connections between science and mathematics by using a performance, or authentic, assessment format. Students will develop measurement skills as they relate the size of their fists to the size of their hearts. Students have the opportunity to explore applications involving their own hearts. An activity sheet (pdf) is included.

In this lesson, students measure the dimensions of their own fist plus the fists of some other people who are older to approximate the size of each person's heart. Next they use construction paper to make a model of their own heart.

Students practice their multiplication skills using robots with wheels built from LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT kits. They brainstorm distance travelled by the robots without physically measuring distance and then apply their math skills to correctly calculate the distance and compare their guesses with physical measurements. Through this activity, students estimate parameters other than by physically measuring them, practice multiplication, develop measuring skills, and use their creativity to come up with successful solutions.

Students determine the coefficient of restitution (or the elasticity) for super balls. Working in pairs, they drop balls from a meter height and determine how high they bounce. They measure, record and repeat the process to gather data to calculate average bounce heights and coefficients of elasticity. Then they extrapolate to determine the height the ball would bounce if dropped from much higher heights.

Use an astrolabe to measure the height of objects, and see seasonal changes over time.

In this lesson, students use historical nonstandard units (digits, hand, cubit, yard, foot, pace, fathom) to estimate the lengths of common objects and then measure using modern standard units. They will discover the usefulness of standardized measurement units and tools. An activity sheet (pdf), assessment options and other commentary are provided.

In this lesson activity students use nonstandard units (baby steps) to measure lengths of different types of "steps" (giant, regular, umbrella, scissor, wooden-soldier, and backwards steps). Once each student gathers this data they will display their own data on a bar graph. Then the class will discuss the data and compare graphs among students. A students worksheet for data collection is included in PDF format.

This lesson focuses learners on the concept of 1,000,000. It allows learners to see firsthand the sheer size of 1 million, while at the same time providing learners with an introduction to sampling and its use in mathematics. Learners use grains of rice and a balance to figure out the approximate volume and weight of 1,000,000 grains of rice. This lesson guide includes questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions.