Introduction

Welcome to the world of measurement.  During this week we will be learning about measurement systems.  Inches, Centimeters, rulers, tape measures etc. (both new and old) will all be things we learn about.  Recently, you may recall, a spacecraft missed Mars because someone did not properly convert a measurement.  Resulting in a billion dollar mistake„oooops, obviously he/she was not a Sullivan Middle School student trained in the science of precise measurement.

This unit will incorporate numerous phases.  You will be asked to look into the history of measurement, perform numerous measurement activities and engage in online activities. The intent of this unit is to learn and have fun with measurement.  Remember you do not have to be a rocket scientist to learn how to correctly measure and convert to other measuring systems.
 

The Task

• Write a John Collins type 2 on the history of metric/english measurement system by researching the links resource links provided.
• Use and understand different measuring devices
• Convert within the same mearuring system

METRIC HISTORY TIMELINE:  The ñthink quest juniorî link will connect you to a metric timeline of important dates from the past into the future.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002831/metrictimeline.htm

METRIC SYSTEMS UNIT:  This site gives you a brief historical introduction to the metric system along with definitions of selected units within the metric system.
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Metric/Metric-Units.html

GO METRIC! THINK METRIC!:  This website gives the U.S. proposed dates and intentional uses of the metric system.
http://www.slcc.edu/schools/hum_sci/physics/metric.html
 
 

THE ENGLISH SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT:  A brief description on how certain measurements came about within the English system.
http://regentsprep.org/Regents/math/meteng/LesEng.htm

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS:
Scroll down and begin reading at the 6th paragraph, subtitled, ñThe English Systemî: http://www.slcc.edu/schools/hum_sci/physics/tutor/2210/measurements/history.html
 
 

METRIC PREFIXES:  You will find a colorful chart giving you the prefix, symbol, factor number, and factor word for each of the metric units.
http://aaamath.com/B/g7_212x4.htm

THE EVERYDAY METRIC SYSTEM:  Metric symbols, prefixes, units of measure provided in the form of a table.
http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/everyday.htm
 
 

ENGLISH CUSTOMARY WEIGHTS AND MEASURE:  Links connecting you to many different units of measurement in the English system, some you are familiar with and some you are not.
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/custom.html
 
 

CONVERSIONS:  Just plug in your measurement and it will converted into any unit you specify, automatically.
http://www.slcc.edu/schools/hum_sci/physics/convert.html
http://conversion.maribi.com/
http://aaamath.com/B/g7_69_x7.htm
http://aaamath.com/B/g7_69_x8.htm
 
 

LINK:  This site gives approximate conversions between Metric and English systems.
http://aaamath.com/B/g7_69x11.htm

LINK:  This site shows how the metric system is used in sports.
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/kids/metricfacts.htm
 
 

BAKING METRIC CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES:
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/usmetric/metric-equiv.htm
 
 

CROSSWORD PUZZLE:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/kids/crossword.htm

WORDSCRAMBLE:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/kids/scramble.htm
 
 

• Students will work in cooperative groups to research this WebQuest on measurements

• Students will use different measuring devices (i.e. ruler, tape measure) and measure in the system described (i.e. metric or english) pre-determined items/lengths in the classroom with 90% accuracy.

• Students will identify the units of measure in the metric and english measurement system i.e. inch, centimeter.

• Student will convert within the same measuring system (i.e. centimeters to meters) using the "Interactive Conversions" link provided in the resource section above.

click here to view rubric

Conclusion

Students have a better understanding of the measurement system (both english and metric).  Students have learned and had fun with measurement.