Math Learning Center

1. Math Learning Center Measuring Miss Vanessa Vertin’s 3rd Grade

2. Exploration Center • Read Measuring Penny. • Explore the classroom and find items to measure like Lisa did. • Use standard and nonstandard units. • Measure various items to the nearest half-unit. • What did you learn while you were measuring with standard and nonstandard units?

3. Reading and Writing Center • Read The Straight Line Wonder. • In your learning center journal: • Discuss the characteristics of a straight line. • Review the procedure of measuring a straight line. • Explain the definition of a polygon. • Write and draw a model on how to find the perimeter of a polygon.

4. Game Center • Play the following interactive games: • Measures • http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/measures/index.htm • Sleuths on the Loose • http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/bodymath/ • Time to Move • http://www.pbs.org/parents/earlymath/grades_games_timetomove.html

5. Problem-Solving Center • Read the book How Big Is a Foot? • Why was the king’s bed the wrong size? • Use your own foot and yarn to make an outline of a bed. • Is everybody in your group beds the same size? • Why or why not? • Why do you think the ruler was invented?

6. Application Center The school is remodeling over summer break. Your group’s job is to gather some measurements so the school knows how much material to order. • Find the following perimeters and record them in your journal (to the nearest half-unit): • classroom doorway. • classroom floor. • bookcase. • and 4 other objects in the classroom that the school might need to know.

7. Creative Center • Create a collage of various polygons: • Use straight lines. • Use paints, coloring pencils, colored paper, crayons, chalk, or yarn. • On the back of the collage document the perimeter of each polygon.

8. Teacher Center • Why is it important to use standard units when measuring? • Explain the steps you take when measuring a straight line? • How do you find the perimeter of a polygon? • Do people need to know how to measure in the real world? • Why or why not? • When measuring you should round to the nearest ______-unit.

9. Standards: • 3.5.1 Measure line segments to the nearest half-inch. • 3.5.3. Find the perimeter of a polygon. • Goal: • I want my students to understand the importance of being able to measure. They should realize that measuring is used all the time in the real world. It is also important to use a standard unit when measuring and be able to measure to the nearest half-inch. I also want my students to be able to find the perimeter of polygons and understand what the measurements could be used for. Teacher Notes

10. Materials: • Measuring Penny by LoreenLeedy • Ruler or measuring tape and yardstick • Journals for each students • The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox • Internet • How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller • Yarn • White paper and colored paper • Paints, coloring pencils, crayons, chalk Teacher Notes

11. Instructions for the teacher: • I would print out each slide on a piece of paper and place them in order across a large table or counter (Except the teacher center). • By each center, I would have all the supplies the students needed. • Once the small groups of students were done with the centers on the table I would have them come up to the teacher center and we would discuss the questions. • To assess the students I would read their journals and make sure they followed the instructions, watch for participation, and make sure they completed their collage. Teacher Notes

12. Instructions for students: • Welcome to the Math Learning Center for Measuring. • In small groups you will go from center to center. • At each center you will read the instructions and then do as it says. Once you are complete move to the next center. • Once you are complete with all the stations on the counter, as a group go up and meet with your teacher for the last station. • Have fun and don’t forget to bring your learning center journal! Teacher Notes