Lesson 5

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

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.

• 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

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?