Lesson 5

Measure in Meters

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn that the meter is a larger unit of metric length measurement.

Lesson Narrative

In previous lessons, students measured and estimated varied lengths in centimeters. They measured using centimeter cubes and centimeter rulers.

In this lesson, students measure longer lengths and identify the need for a more appropriate length unit and tool for these measurements. Students use meter sticks to measure strips of tape on the floor, which represent the measurements of a variety of reptiles. Students recognize that a meter stick makes measuring longer lengths easier.

  • Engagement
  • MLR2

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Use standard rulers and meter sticks to measure length in centimeters and meters.

Student Facing

  • Let’s measure length in meters.

Required Preparation

Activity 1:

  • Tape strips of these lengths on the floor. Label each strip with the letter and the name of the reptile. (It may be helpful to make multiple sets of the strips to keep the groups small.)
    • Tape A, gila monster: 58 cm
    • Tape B, baby alligator: 72 cm
    • Tape C, baby cobra: 44 cm
    • Tape D, komodo dragon: 180 cm
    • Tape E, adult alligator: 3 meters and 36 cm
    • Tape F, adult cobra: 1 meter and 90 cm
    • Tape G, ribbon snake: 2 meters and 82 cm

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Building Towards

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 20 min
Activity 2 15 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

Reflect on who participated in math class today. What assumptions are you making about those who did not participate? How can you leverage each of your students’ ideas to support them in being seen and heard in tomorrow’s math class?

Suggested Centers

  • Estimate and Measure (1–4), Stage 1: Choose Your Unit (Addressing)
  • Five in a Row: Addition and Subtraction (1–2), Stage 6: Add within 100 with Composing (Supporting)

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