Your kids LOVE to measure. Today, we looked at a problem involving the lengths of three different snakes. How do you measure something that isn't straight?
Our "minds-on" activity on the carpet had the class figuring out how they can prove something is bigger than something else. Two different sized pieces of yarn acted as snakes. Using connecting cubes, Alishan and Faith told the class that the smaller snake was 18 connecting cubes, while the bigger one was 23 connecting cubes long. We counted the difference and discovered that the big one was 5 connecting cubes longer. See, we're still adding and subtracting!
Next, children were put into pairs and asked to show how they know three snakes had different lengths. Each group was given a length of yarn, scissors, and access to rulers and any concrete materials they wanted to use.
They got busy.
Students put yarn on the snakes and cut the yarn to the length before measuring the piece.
Some students used fingers and hands as non-standard units of measurement.
Others used rulers and meter sticks.
Afterwards, students reflected on what they learned in their math journals. Tomorrow, we will have a congress to share problem solving strategies. Awesome!
