Lesson Plan: Metric Olympics Conversions

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 third part of the unit that involves converting.

Metric Conversion Table

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

Title: Part III: Converting using the Metric System

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

Subjects: Science/Math

Objectives:  Students will be able to convert basic units within the metric system by using the metric conversion table.

Procedure:

• Ask students basic questions about different units of measurement that are equivalent. (For example, 12 inches in one foot.) Explain that conversions can be done in the metric system.
• Show the Metric Conversion Table on a Power Point Slide. Students will copy it. 
• To remember the chart, give students the mnemonic device “King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk.” See if any students can come up with their own saying.
• Explain how chart can be used to know which direction decimals are moved when converting
• Demonstrate sample problems.
• Do sample problems as a class.
• Give students problems to do independently.

Materials:

• Metric Conversion Table Power Point Slide
• Notebook Paper and Pencil
• Computer with Projector
• Sample Problems for students

Assessment:  Collect the sample problems that the students completed independently.