Measuring Penny

Apple with ruler clipart

Objectives: 
Reinforce measurement and nonstandard units of measurement.  
Introduce concept of height, width, length and volume.  
Introduce different tools used to measure. 
Select an appropriate tool for measuring.  

Materials: Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy  and computer with Internet connection.  

Book Overview: 
Lisa has an important homework assignment--to measure something in several different ways. She has to use standard units like inches and nonstandard units like paper clips to find out height, width, length, weight, volume, temperature, and time. Lisa decides to measure her dog, Penny.

Procedure:   

  1. The teacher will begin by reviewing nonstandard units of measurement.  Why do we measure?  

  2. Introduce story and set purpose for reading:  What types of things do we measure?  

  3. In previous lesson, length was measured.  In this story, Penny measures more than just length.  

  4. Have students listen for other things she measures.   

  5. Read the story.  

  6. Ask students what else  we measure.  

  7. Guide them to recognize that weight, height, volume, temperature and time and some of the things we measure.  

  8. Discuss what tools are used (thermometer, scale, cups, rulers, etc.)

Web Activities:  Students can do activity at Wise up:  Measurement .  Continue work on Measurement Book Project  (see Web Activities).

Assessment:   Students complete Tools Worksheet.

Home Learning: 
Students will have same homework as Penny!  Pick one object and measure in as many ways as they can.   Record on a sheet and turn in. 

Extension Activity: Have students list different measurement tools as well as three things they could measure with each.  Example:  Scale - weight of cat, book or person.


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