Measure our heights
Problem
In the second picture the children are trying to measure their heights in a different way, but they are still finding it hard.
This girl is being measured in a different way, with a friend helping her. Do you think measuring using this method looks easy or difficult?
What things in the pictures might they be finding hard?
Can you find a better way to find out the height of a friend?
What will you use? Try it and see how tall they are.
Can you give answers in metres as well as centimetres?
Getting Started
What equipment do you need?
Student Solutions
Thank you to everybody who sent us their ideas about this task. Ofentse from Future Nation School in South Africa sent in these answers to the questions:
Can you find a better way to find out the height of a friend?
We would stand against the wall, use a marker to mark our heights
What will you use?
Marker, a wall and measuring tape
Good ideas! How can you make sure that the mark you've made is at the correct height?
The children in Miss Ottewell's class at John of Rolleston School in England had these things to say about the pictures:
When we looked at the pictures, we spotted some problems with how the children are measuring themselves and others.
Chloe said: "I think the boy is finding it hard in the first picture because he can't see the top of his head."
Sarah said: "In the first picture the boy doesn't have anyone to help and doesn't know where the top of his head is to measure."
Floren "In the second picture the boy that is measuring is too small."
Jack said: "In the last picture, the girl's hair is going up, so they can't measure her real height."
Harry said: "In the last picture the tape is too small and wiggly so they can't really measure properly."
Bella said: "They could use a metre stick and if taller than a metre stick they could get another one - or a smaller ruler to add on to it."
Imogen said: "In the second picture they could ask a grown up to help," or "Find a taller person to measure you" (Liam)
Zara said: "Mine and Millie's solution is that the girl could be drawn around and then measuring her drawing - from the top to the bottom in a straight line."
You've all thought really carefully about these pictures!
We have changed the pictures slightly since we received these solutions. If anybody has any different ideas about this task, please email us.
Teachers' Resources
Measure Our Heights
In the second picture the children are trying to measure their heights in a different way, but they are still finding it hard.
This girl is being measured in a different way, with a friend helping her. Do you think measuring using this method looks easy or difficult?
What things in the pictures might they be finding hard?
Can you find a better way to find out the height of a friend?
What will you use? Try it and see how tall they are.
Can you give answers in metres as well as centimetres?
Why do this problem?
This problem gives pupils the opportunity to find ways of measuring friends' heights, trying to avoid difficulties. The questions also encourage them to think about the units they are using.
Possible approach
Talk to the children about measuring heights of people, to find out what experiences they have had. Lead them then to consider the two pictures and the difficulties that the boy and girl are having. Discuss these difficulties and encourage them to offer suggestions as to how they think they could do it more accurately.
If it has not come up naturally, you could then lead the group in a discussion about the units they have used and challenge them to convert centimetres to metres and vice versa.
Key questions
How did you do the measuring?What is that measurement in metres and centimetres? How do you know?