Lesson 5
Measure in Meters
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn that the meter is a larger unit of metric length measurement.
Lesson Narrative
In previous lessons, students measured and estimated varied lengths in centimeters. They measured using centimeter cubes and centimeter rulers.
In this lesson, students measure longer lengths and identify the need for a more appropriate length unit and tool for these measurements. Students use meter sticks to measure strips of tape on the floor, which represent the measurements of a variety of reptiles. Students recognize that a meter stick makes measuring longer lengths easier.
- Engagement
- MLR2
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Use standard rulers and meter sticks to measure length in centimeters and meters.
Student Facing
- Let’s measure length in meters.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Required Preparation
Activity 1:
- Tape strips of these lengths on the floor. Label each strip with the letter and the name of the reptile. (It may be helpful to make multiple sets of the strips to keep the groups small.)
- Tape A, gila monster: 58 cm
- Tape B, baby alligator: 72 cm
- Tape C, baby cobra: 44 cm
- Tape D, komodo dragon: 180 cm
- Tape E, adult alligator: 3 meters and 36 cm
- Tape F, adult cobra: 1 meter and 90 cm
- Tape G, ribbon snake: 2 meters and 82 cm
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 20 min |
| Activity 2 | 15 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
Reflect on who participated in math class today. What assumptions are you making about those who did not participate? How can you leverage each of your students’ ideas to support them in being seen and heard in tomorrow’s math class?
Suggested Centers
- Estimate and Measure (1–4), Stage 1: Choose Your Unit (Addressing)
- Five in a Row: Addition and Subtraction (1–2), Stage 6: Add within 100 with Composing (Supporting)