About this Daily Classroom Special: 
Science to Go provides easy yet meaningful science activities for grades k-8. Science to Go was written by Barbara Smith, Magnet Coordinator at Harvard Elementary, Houston (TX) and former Teachers Network web mentor.

Measure Me

Objective

Measurement, estimation.

Materials

Large fruit or vegetable, measuring tape, scales, paper and pencil, knife

Activity

Bring a large fruit or vegetable to class (I love to do this in October when pumpkins are cheap and easily available!) Have students weigh common objects around the classroom, and measure their girth and length.

Then let them make estimations of the girth and weight of the fruit or vegetable. If it is a fruit, let them make estimations about number of seeds and construct a number line to record their estimations and the actual results. Measure the fruit/vegetable, and make comparisons to their estimates. Compare the weight, girth and length to other objects.

Safety consideration: determine type of cutting tool and whether you or the students will open the fruit/vegetable.)

Website Picks for Science

Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Data and statistics on diseases, current topics and announcements.

*Warning: has info about STD's. May need to supervise access by younger students.