Part of Lesson Plan: Foundations of Measurement

Activity Overview / Details

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.