TITLE:  Making Estimations in Measurement

AUTHOR:  Debbie Ballard, The Community School,
         Ketchum, Idaho

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  Appropriate for grades 1 and 2
                      Math/Language Arts

OVERVIEW:  Children at this age will have difficulty in
making accurate estimations in many areas of the curriculum.
It is oftentimes hard to visualize a particular size much
less know what the correct corresponding measurement would
be.

PURPOSE:  This particular activity was designed to provide
students with an opportunity to utilize their knowledge of
measurement in making accurate measurements and estimations.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will be able to
1.  Read  a story and participate in a discussion about
    size, measurement and giants
2.  Review the lines and numbers on the centimeter rod
    and tape.
3.  Make estimations of what they think their:
    a. height would be.
    b. circumference would be.
    c. length of foot would be.
       This information will be recorded on a graph.
4.  Take measurements of their own height, circumference
    and length of foot.  This is to be done with a
    partner.
5.  Make estimations of what they think a giants:
    a. height would be.
    b. circumference would be.
    c. length of foot would be.
       This information will be recorded on a graph.
6.  Some students will estimate how many footsteps it
    would take their giant to walk to various locations
    throughout the school.  (example;  how many footsteps
    to the office, community room or to their science
    room)
7.  Some students will draw and paint a giant using
    estimated measurements.
8.  Some students will write a story about a giant.

RESOURCES/ MATERIALS:
   Teacher materials:  The big book entitled Jack and the
Bean- stalk.  Chart paper.

   Student materials:  Centimeter rods and tapes, butcher
paper, construction paper, pencils, paints, scissors.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   The teacher will begin the lesson by reading with
     students the big book entitled Jack and the Beanstalk.
2.   Teacher and students will share in a discussion about
     giants, the concept of size, measurement and making
     estimations.
3.   Students will make a chart with their teacher where
     estimations are recorded.  This chart will make
     estimations of what they think their height,
     circumference, and length of foot will be.
4.   Students will review the use of a centimeter rod and
     tape.
5.   Students will work with a partner and use centimeter
     rods and tapes to measure each others height,
     circumference and length of foot.
6.   Students will return to a discussion group and talk
     about their actual measurements and their estimations.
7.   Students will then make a chart with their teacher
     where estimations are recorded.  This chart will make
     estimations of what they think a giants height,
     circumference, and length of foot will be.
8.   Students will then break up into small groups and
     proceed with one of the following activities:
     a.   Making a giants foot from construction paper
          and discovering how many foot lengths it takes
          to go to various locations in the school.
     b.   Making a giant using estimated measurements.
          Students will draw and paint their giant on a
          large piece of butcher paper.
     c.   Writing a story about a giant.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
     See #8 in ACTIVITIES