Activity #1
How Tall, How Short, How Far Away
by David A. Adler Because this book explores the different measurement systems, have some fun with your child by participating in a household measurement contest. This game can go on for five hours or five minutes - you choose!
The first thing that you will want to do is to make sure that each player has two measuring tapes - one that uses the customary system and one that uses the metric system. The idea of the game is in each round to be able to estimate what a certain length may look like. For example, in a particular round, there will be a chosen measurement, such as 32 cm. Each player will be given 60 seconds to find an object in the room that they believe is equivalent to 32 cm. Once the 60 seconds is up, each player will measure the object. The person who is closest to the 32 cm. will win the round. The next round will then use inches. Players can keep score or they can play just for fun. If you are looking to add a twist to the game, you can allow each player to use the measuring tape of the opposite measuring system in a particular round. For example, if the round is being measured in inches, you can allow each player to use their metric measuring tape to measure the object within the 60 seconds. |
Activity #2
Cook-A-Doodle-Doo!
by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel Let Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! inspire you to engage in some baking fun. The kitchen is one of the perfect places for you and your child to practice measurement. Children often get much practice in measure length, height, and width, however, other measurements are often left out.
Make your very own Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake by following the recipe in the back of the book. This will provide your child with great practice in not only measurement, but also following directions and fractions. In reading the recipe, your child is also gaining time with literacy. With your guidance, your child will be able to acquire the beginning skills that are necessary to become successful not only in math and literacy, but also in the kitchen. If you are looking to add a challenge, encourage your child to double the recipe so that you can feed family and friends and see if they are able to keep all the ingredients in proportion so that everything is still just as yummy in the end! |