Activity Overview
Students measure weight, height, and length with the help of a balance, scales, rulers, yardstick, and tape measures. They use their TI-10 to find proportions and to round off answers to whole numbers.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 137 - 147 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the page to the class.
Follow the activity procedures:
Activity A:
Discuss the characteristics (height, weight, speed, length, strength etc.) of animals, and read the book: Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, to the class
Activity B:
Compare the weight (in pounds) of an average adult male to an elephant
Use the calculator to determine the approximate number of adult males whose combined weight equals the weight of one elephant
Activity C:
Reread the book, observe that an ant can lift 5 times its own weight
Calculate the weight a 60-pound adult can lift if he were as strong as an ant
Determine the number of books that will weigh 300 pounds
Activity D:
Tear a length of tape that measures the height of a student
Use a ruler to mark 12-inch sections and number them
Calculate the height of the student
Use the calculator to determine the number of students whose combined height will equal the height of the giraffe
Activity E:
Measure the wall length and use the calculator to get the perimeter of the classroom
Determine the length of the tentacles of a jellyfish
Activity F:
Convert feet to inches and find the length of the room
Note a snail travels at a speed of 8 inches per minute
Find the time taken by the snail to cross the room
Activity G:
Note a flea can jump 130 times its height
Determine how high a 4-foot child can jump if he could jump like a flea
After the Activity
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary