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University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Measuring the Way

Recommended Grade Level(s)

  • 3-5

Primary Subject Area(s)

  • History
  • Science
  • Mathematics

Related Artifacts

Activity Description

Using cardboard and a rubberband, create an educated measuring stick and use it to measure the classroom doorway. Discuss and practice contemporary measurement methods (e.g., tape measure, laser distant measure, caliper) and ask why miners may have used educated measuring sticks instead. Extension: Have students write word problems that would allow them to measure lengths with their measuring stick.

Standards Addressed

  1. History
    1. Grade 4 Standards
      1. H3.4.4: Explain how advances in technologies have impacted Nevada, i.e., railroads, mining, and gaming.
  2. Science
    1. Grade 4 Standards
      1. N.5.B.1: Students know that, throughout history, people of diverse cultures have provided scientific knowledge and technologies.
  3. Mathematics
    1. Grade 4 Standards
      1. 1.4.6: Estimate to determine the reasonableness of an answer in mathematical and practical situations.
      2. 3.4.2: Measure length, area, temperature, and weight to a required degree of accuracy in customary and metric systems.
    2. Grades 3-5 Standards
      1. 5.4.1: Pose questions that can be used to guide the collection of categorical and numerical data.
 

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