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Big, Bigger, Biggest! The Biggest Thing!

Hi All,

Refrigerators can be pretty big, right? Here's a cool measurement investigation that begins with a simple question. And it can really be done at any grade.

Kids are always curious about who or what is big? bigger? the biggest? Let's use that curiosity to learn some math as we ask, "What's the biggest thing in the school?"

1. Ask students, "What do you think is the biggest thing in the school? (or your home or your classroom)" Common responses include the boiler, the teacher's desk, a cafeteria table, and I was even told once, "The principal!" Record these responses for all to see and tell students, "Let's investigate!"

2. Ask, "What tools or materials do we need to find out?" Answers include rulers, yardsticks, measuring tape, cubes, yarn, paper, and a pencil. Have these ready and available.

3. Organize students into pairs or small groups. Assign or ask students what item they want to measure. Choose something that is a stand-alone type item. In other words, not a wall or roof or floor.

Also the item must be inside, so not a car or storage shed or anything like that.

Then have them develop a plan. For example, ask the class, what will you be measuring? The height? How wide? How long? Or all three attributes? With older students you could also be talking about volume.

This is a great teaching time to do a mini-lesson on proper use of measurement tools as well as what is height, width, and length. Students are eager to learn skills if they know they are going to use them in a real way,

4. This is a good activity to have student groups take turns with, so it works very well in a math lab rotation. If you are sending a group out into the school, have a parent volunteer, student teacher, aide, or older student accompany them. Working within the classroom, this is not an issue. Doing it at home is a great homework assignment.

5. As students come up with their data, compile it on a large chart or bulletin board. Explain to students that data like this is best displayed with a diagram or picture that shows the measurements. Compare results and see if you can answer the question, "What was the biggest thing?"

All the best,

Bob

PS - This was inspired by the picture book, Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy in which a young girl tries to measure her dog. I included a version of this in Meeting the Math Standards with Favorite Picture Books by Bob Krech, Scholastic, 2002)


 

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