World of Tan 22 - an Appealing Stroll

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2
Children you might like to
  • List all the things that you can measure and all the different instruments you can measure things with.
  • Discuss how accurately you can measure your height. Now do it!
  • Consider things you would like to measure that presently you cannot.
Parents you might like to...
  • Bring together all the measuring instruments that you have in and around the home. How can you classify them?
  • Discuss the issue of measuring accurately. When does accuracy matter, when does it not?
  • What units are used for measuring different things? Make a list of the units of measure in 'common' usage.
  • Find out about and discuss the use of compound units of measurement.
Teachers you might like to....
  • Brainstorm any ideas the children already have about measuring.
  • Discuss more fully with the children aspects of life that cannot be accurately measured.
  • Devise an experiment to test the children's accuracy of measuring the length of the school hall (say). Discuss the outcomes!
  • Encourage the children to devise a scale of measurement for nosiness/ clumsiness/ naughtiness.
  • Plan and prepare a story about someone who HAS to measure every aspect of their life. What would you call such a person?
  • Work with the children as they set about measuring the water in a puddle or the weight of an arm or the amount of leaves on a tree.

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.