This lesson unit is intended to help assess how well students are able to interpret and use scale drawings to plan a garden layout. This involves using proportional reasoning and metric units.

Students learn and practice how to find the perimeter of a polygonal shape. Using a ruler, they measure model rooms made of construction paper walls. They learn about other tools, such as a robot, that can help them take measurements. Using a robot built from a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT kit that has been programmed to move along a wall and output the length of that wall, students record measurements and compare the perimeter value found with the robot to the perimeter found using a ruler. In both cases, students sketch maps to the scale of the model room and label the measured lengths. A concluding discussion explores the ways in which using a robot may be advantageous or disadvantageous, and real-world applications.

Help students understand scale factor by having them re-create their own scale drawing.  We have some images cut out that students can use, or they can bring their own logo/image that they brought from home.  We have students follow the step by step google slide show and break it down as follows:Day 1: Create grid on student's image and determine scale.  Start on grid lines which are on a large white piece of paper and based on the selected scale factor.Day 2: Complete grid lines on paper and model how students are to re-create their drawing one square at a time.  It may also be a good idea to have students label rows and columns (A, B, C... and 1, 2, 3...) so they can easily reference each square.  Students may be ready to start drawing.Day 3 & 4: Work Days-spent recreating their drawing while representing the scale factor and coloring/painting when completed.Day 5: Present