Part of Lesson Plan: Box and Cover Project Part 2

Activity Overview / Details

As the students enter the classroom and take their seats, they find several numbered sheet metal box and covers on the tables. I ask them to get into teams of 3 or 4 and examine each cover and takes some notes on it's fit and appearance. I tell them that they have one minute to evaluate each box, then pass it on to the next team. After each team has evaluated each numbered box and cover, I ask them "which one was best?" They generally agree upon the one with the best fit. I ask them "why?" it's the best, and the normal responses are "#X was too tight" and "#Y was too loose". Then, I ask them to figure out what clearance size in fractional inches would you need for it to be "just right"? Once the majority of the class agrees on a size, I ask them to get their box drawings from lesson #1 out of their lockers while I pass out blank drawing paper and rulers.