Informal units of measurements

=Activity - Name of Activity= Estimating distances

Estimated Time
1 hour

Materials/ Resources needed
Materials/ Resources needed : Sticks, ropes, writing pad, pencil.

Prerequisites/Instructions, if any
1.They should have the ability to measure and document their findings accurately.

Process (How to do the activity)

 * 1) The teacher can ask the students to determine the distances of library, principal's room, playground, dining hall, entrance gate from their classroom using various non-standard measuring methods.
 * 2) The children can decide which method to use - whether foot, sticks or ropes.
 * 3) The task can be done in groups of 3 children.
 * 4) Document and compare the results.
 * 5) Discuss regarding the length of distance.
 * 6) Reiterate that it is very important to use same measuring modes to facilitate comparisons.

Developmental Questions (What discussion questions)

 * 1) Which point would we mark as the point of reference for measuring our classroom.
 * 2) Similarly what are the points of reference for other places.
 * 3) How do we mark them.
 * 4) Which measuring unit have you chosen?
 * 5) How will you document the findings?
 * 6) How can we tabulate our findings on board for comparisons?
 * 7) What would be our report back time?
 * 8) What are our findings?
 * 9) What conclusions can we draw?

Evaluation (Questions for assessment of the child)
What have we learnt so far about measuring object?

Question Corner

 * 1) How can we measure curves?
 * 2) What are the problems with non-standard measuring units?
 * 3) Can we think of methods to measure so that measures taken by anyone would always be same for a given object or distance.

Activity Keywords
point of reference,findings,comparisons,conclusions.

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