Lesson Plan: Metric Olympics Classroom Measuring

The Olympics start tonight! The Metric Olympics are not only timely for the Olympics, but are also a great way to teach students about the metric system and conversions! Our lesson plan for the Metric Olympics is broken into five unit lesson plans, which will be posted separately. The entire unit plan is intended for sixth grade, but can be adapted for any middle-level grade. The following lesson is the fourth part of the unit that involves measuring objects in the classroom.

Click the following links for each part: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V

Title: Part IV: Measuring Around the Classroom

Grade Level: 6th grade, can be adapted for other grade levels

Subject: Science/Math

Objectives:

• Students will be able to measure various objects or liquids using meter sticks, graduated cylinders, and balances.
• Students will be able to make basic conversions of the metric system.

Procedure:

• Teacher will measure each object before class in order to assess how accurate the students are.
• Explain each station:
• Station 1: 3 cups with water. Measure each separately in milliliters. Convert to centiliters and liters on worksheet.
• Station 2: 3 blocks. Measure each in grams. Convert to milligrams and decigrams
• Station 3: Measure length, width, and height of the desk and chairs in meters. Convert to centimeters on worksheet.
• Station 4: 3 cups. Measure in milliliters. Convert to deciliters and hectoliters on worksheet.
• Station 5: 3 blocks. Measure in grams. Convert to dekagrams and kilograms.
• Station 6: Students will measure the length, width, and height of the room in meters. On worksheet, students will convert to kilometers and decimeters.
• Split students into groups of 4. Students will complete an activity at each station, then rotate.

Materials:

• 2 Meter Sticks
• 6 labeled cups of pre-measured water of various amounts
• 2 Graduated Cylinders
• Lab/Conversion Worksheet (embedded below)
• 2 Balances
• Desks and chairs
• 6 labeled blocks of various sizes

Assessment:

• Walk around and observe students when they are doing the activity.
• Collect worksheet that students recorded their answers on.  Use the measurements the teacher made before class as an answer guide.