| MEASUREMENT
MODULE MATRIX |
 |
SYNOPSIS |
SCIENCE
CONTENT |
THINKING
PROCESSES |
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1. |
THE
FIRST STRAW
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Students
learn the need for standard units of linear measurement. They
measure objects with nonstandard units, straws, and then use
a meter tape to measure objects in meters and centimeters. Students
measure and compare body dimensions in the metric system. |
•
The meter (m) is the standard metric unit of linear measurement;
the centimeter (cm) is 0.01 m.
• Length is how far it is from one point to another. |
•
Observe and measure length in meters and centimeters.
• Organize information on a record sheet.
• Compare the results of several linear measurements.
• Communicate findings. |
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2. |
WEIGHT WATCHING |
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Students
learn the need for standard units for measuring mass and use
the FOSS balance and mass pieces to weigh objects. Students
prepare 100-g bags of gravel and cooperate to make a kilogram
mass piece. They discover that a sponge can soak up many times
its own mass in water. |
•
The gram (g) is the standard metric unit of mass; the kilogram
(kg) is 1000 g.
• Mass is the amount of matter in an object. |
•
Observe and measure mass in grams.
• Organize information on a record sheet.
• Compare the results of several weighings.
• Communicate findings. |
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3. |
TAKE
ME TO YOUR LITER |
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Students
learn the need for standard units of volume. They use syringes
and graduated cylinders calibrated in milliliters to measure
fluids accurately. After learning how to use the FOSS volume
measuring tools, students measure the capacity (maximum volume)
of several common containers. |
•
The liter (l) is the standard metric unit of fluid measurement;
the milliliter (ml) is 0.001 liter.
• Volume is the three-dimensional space occupied by something.
• Capacity is the maximum amount (or volume) of fluid
a container can hold. |
•
Observe and measure fluid capacity in milliliters.
• Organize information on a record sheet.
• Compare measured capacity results to given values.
• Communicate findings. |
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4. |
THE
THIRD DEGREE |
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Students
compare the temperatures of three cups of water using their
fingers, which leads to the need for a measuring tool and a
standard unit. Students use alcohol thermometers and measure
in degrees Celsius. They measure the temperatures of warm and
cold water and find out how cold a mixture of ice and water
gets in 10 minutes. The module ends with a Metric Field Day
as students compete and officiate in events designed by the
class. |
•
The degree Celsius (°C) is the standard metric unit of temperature.
• Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something
is. |
•
Make sensory comparisons of temperature.
• Observe and measure temperature in degrees Celsius.
• Organize information on a record sheet.
• Compare temperatures of cooling ice water over time.
• Communicate findings.
• Apply metric measurement in a game format. |
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