Measurement Centers

Broad Jump 1. Smile as wide as you can. 2. Have a group member measure your smile using a tape measure. 3. Compare the smile lengths of your group members. Who has the broadest smile? 4. Record on the class recording sheet. Who has the broadest smile in the class?

The Javelin Throw 1. Stand behind the designated, masking tape line. 2. Spin around three times and then throw the javelin (toothpick) in the open area. 3. After your throw, use a meter stick to measure the distance. 4. Record your measurement and compare. Who threw the javelin the longest distance?

The High Dive 1. With your weaker hand, take the wet sponge from the bucket and squeeze out as much water as possible into the measuring cup. 2. Measure the amount of water squeezed out. 3. Record the measurement and compare. Variation: Time each squeeze. How much water can you squeeze out of the sponge during a 30-second period?

Grab a Gram 1. Each group member takes a turn filling a bag with cereal so that the total weight is as close to 10 grams without going over. 2. Once each person has had a turn, weigh the bags. Record the measurements and compare. Which bag was closest to 10 grams?

Penny Flick 1. Behind a designated line, take turns flicking a penny or counter across the floor. 2. Measure the distance. The winner is the one whose coin comes to rest closest to 1 meter from the starting line. 3. Record each measurement and determine the winner.

Watery Weights Does water have weight? Investigate the weights of various objects when they are dry and when they are wet. Record your observations.

Capacity Comparisons 1. Rank the empty containers from smallest to largest—the containers that hold the smallest amount of liquid to the ones that hold the greatest amount of liquid. Number the containers from smallest to largest. 2. Use the measuring tools to figure out how much each container actually holds. Record your results and compare to your original rankings.

Follow the Liter Sort the containers into three groups. – Containers that hold less than 1 liter – Containers that hold more than 1 liter – Containers that hold about 1 liter Measure the capacity of each container to determine if you sorted the containers correctly.

Give Me a Hand 1. Estimate how much or how many of each object you can hold. Record your estimate. 2. Grab a handful and count the number of objects you grabbed. 3. Record your results. How close were you to your estimate? 4. Try different objects. Do your estimates improve?

Let It Pour 1. Pour water from the bottle into an empty bowl, stopping when you think you have poured 1 cup. 2. Transfer the poured water to a measuring cup and see how close your estimate was. 3. Repeat the task several times to see if you can improve. 4. Try to pour different amounts—such as 1 pint or 1 quart.

Extreme Mini-Golf 1. Place one cotton ball on the designated starting line. 2. Using a spoon as a club, swing at a cotton ball. 3. Measure the distance. The winner is the player who has “driven” the cotton ball the greatest number of centimeters down the fairway. 4. Try again. Did your distance improve? 5. Record the longer distance after two tries and compare the results.

Massive Comparisons 1. Rank the objects from lightest to heaviest—the objects with the lightest weight to the objects with the heaviest weight. Number the items from lightest to heaviest. 2. Use the measuring tools to figure out how much each object weighs. Record your results and compare to your original rankings.

Amazing Animals 1. Read each of the amazing facts about animals. 2. Choose one interesting measurement. Cut adding machine tape or string that length and label with the name of the animal. 3. Compare each length and order from least to greatest. Extensions: Record the length using metric units. Use the encyclopedia or Guinness Book of Records to find more unique and interesting animal measurements.

Pack a Pound 1. How much weight do you carry in your book bag each day? Estimate how many pounds you carry in your book bag. 2. Fill the bag with various items you might carry at school and measure the weight of the bag. 3. Any surprises? 4. Fill the bag with items until you estimate that the bag weighs 10 pounds. Weigh the bag to see how close you were. Try creating a bag that weighs 5 pounds; 1 pound.

Make a Kilogram 1. Use the modeling clay to make a ball that you estimate weighs 1 kilogram. 2. Measure the weight of the ball. How close is it to 1 kilogram? 3. Can you make a clay ball that weighs 1 pound? Will the 1 pound ball be larger or smaller than the 1 kilogram ball?

Supermarket Sort Examine each of the supermarket items. Try to find an item that weighs: 1 ounce1 gram 1 pound1 kilogram Try to find an item that holds: 1 liter1 pint 1 gallon1 cup 1 quart

Cup Rush 1. Select a partner for the race. 2. At the signal, each player will use an eyedropper to begin filling their designated cup with water. 3. The winner is the player who fills their cup first.

Measurement Boxing 1. With a partner, take turns tossing 4 markers into the box. 2. Add the total score. The player with the greatest amount is the winner. Variation: Continue playing and race to 1 meter or 1 gallon.