California Career and Technical Education Standards

• ANR.B.B12.1 Understand common surveying techniques used in agriculture (e.g., leveling, land...
• ANR.FS.11.0 Demonstration and Application
• ANR.FS.5.3 Use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions and solve problems.
• ANR.FS.9.3 Understand how to organize and structure work individually and in teams for effe...

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.5 Extend ideas presented in primary or secondary sources through original analysis...3

Grades:

9 to 12

Industries and Pathways:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Foundations of Measurement - Hooks / Set

  As students enter the classroom they will see pictures on the whiteboard of parts of the human body (parts of mannequins would work better). There would be a picture of a foot, a hand, an arm, a person standing with their arms fully extended, etc. After taking roll, I ask the students what is the significance of the pictures and/or how they are related.
  
  I will select two different sized students and have them spread their arms out to demonstrate their "wingspan". Have one student measure an item, such as the whiteboard with his wingspan and then the other student. The measurement data will be different, which will lead into the discussion of non-standardized units of measure!
  
  Use the attached pictures or make some of your own.

  • Picture - Foot [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] Foot - Distance from the tip of a man's big toe to the heel.
  • Picture - Feet [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] Rod - The sum of the lengths of the left feet of 16 men.
  • Picture - Arm & Hand [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] Cubit - Distance from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow.
  • Picture - Hand [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] Shaftment, Hand, Palm, Span, Finger, Digit - All measurements using the hand.
• Foundations of Measurement - Lecture

  This lesson is comprised of a power point presentation titled, "Foundations of Measurement", and one student measurement activity.
  
  After the students have had a chance to discuss the visuals in the "hook/set" portion of the lesson, pass out a Student Outline to each student and begin the power point presentation. The student outline handout mirrors the power point with spaces for the students to take notes. Teacher leads discussion on each slide, students ask questions and we dialog about each slide. Students write information on their handout.

  • Foundations of Measurement - Power Point [ Download ] Lesson Presentation
  • Teacher Outline [ Download ] Teacher Version of the Student Outline
  • Student Outline [ Download ] Student Outline
• Units of Measurement Worksheet - Lab / Shop

  This exercise gives students the opportunity to measure and compare their body parts to anthropomorphic units of measure and to discuss the problems of non-standardized units of measurement. Students will follow the directions on the worksheet and measure various objects in the room using their anthropomorphic measuring device. They will complete calculations based upon their measurements.

  This worksheet may be used as a graded assignment or as a "check for understanding", or both.

  • Units of Measurement Worksheet [ Download ] Student Worksheet