Opening Words….

1. Opening Words…. “Science is a way of life. Science is a perspective. Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that's precise, predictive and reliable - a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional.” - Brian Greene

2. AIM = How and why do we use the Metric System? First…we need to get with the rest of the world… Metric is “ten times better than the Standard system of measurement!”

3. If you can multiply & divide by 10 (or any power of 10), then the metric system will be easy for you!

4. THE METER The meter is the starting point for the metric system. START

5. Here’s a meter stick!

6. It takes 10 decimeters to make up 1 meter.

7. It takes 10 centimeters to make up 1 decimeter.

8. If 1 meter = 10 decimetersand1 decimeter = 10 centimetersthen how many centimeters make up 1 meter?

9. That’s right!1 meter = 100 centimeters

10. 100 centimeters = 1 meter

11. It takes 10 millimeters to make up 1 centimeter. Boy, that’s small!

12. If 1 meter = 10 decimetersand1 decimeter = 10 centimetersand1centimeter = 10 millimetersthen how many millimeters make up 1 meter?

13. That’s right!1000 millimeters = 1 meter

14. It takes 10 millimeters to make up 1 centimeter. Millimeters are so small that they almost run together.

15. Now let’s take a closer look at some measuring devices.

16. This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick. 1 2 3 4 This is one centimeter.

17. This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick. 1 2 3 4 This is half of a centimeter.

18. This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick. 1 2 3 4 This is one millimeter (= 1/10 cm or 0.1 cm)

19. This key measures 3 cm. 1 2 3 4

20. The metric system deals with powers of 10 1 meter = 10 decimeters = 100 centimeters = 1000 millimeters

21. The metric system really is “10 times” better than our standard system of measurement – b/c it is based on multiples of 10!It is very easy to convert from one unit to another by…multiplying by 10, 100, or 1000 OR dividing by 10, 100, or 1000

22. Remember, you can also convert using the “ladder method”…

23. MINI-LAB: Practice Measuring with Metric Ruler DIRECTIONS: • Each student will hand in their own paper • Work with a partner to gather + return materials • Materials: Color practice card, 2 rulers, 3 objects • Work with your partner to complete the practice card • Each student will make their own measurements using a ruler – of the 3 objects provided (to the nearest mm) • Choose 3 objects of your own to measure – write down the name of the objects – and measure to the nearest mm • Draw 7 lines of any length – and label in both cm and mm

25. Or you could say that it measures 30 mm. 1 2 3 4

26. This key measures 2.5 cm. 1 2 3 4

27. Or, you could say that it measures 25 mm. 1 2 3 4

28. 1 2 3 4 This toy car measures 4.2 cm.

29. 1 2 3 4 Or, you could say it measures 42 mm.

30. How many centimeters make up 2 meters?

31. That’s right! There are 200 centimeters in 2 meters.

32. How many millimeters make up 2 meters?

33. That’s right! There are 2000 millimeters in 2 meters.

34. How many decimeters make up 2 meters?

35. That’s right! There are 20 decimeters in 2 meters.