workshop 4: teaching measurement using Jack and the beanstalk activities~

Jack and the beanstalk

Teachers can make a big tree trunk and beanstalk on the class floor using cardboards for the trunk and green paper for the beanstalk. The teacher will be the Giant . Then, students will need a small note book to jot down  their answers. 

For indirect comparison ,the teachers asks students to compare the height of the big tree with the height of the classroom tables, windows, chairs and the Giant. Students will have to stand or even lie down near the tree to make comparison. They will then need to write which object is taller or shorter than the big tree in their note book.

The teacher can also teach measurement by using non standard units. First, students will be asked to select a large unit such as their hands, feet, books and etc. Next they will use their selected units and measure the height of the big tree. eg:

big tree = 10 hands

After that, the teacher will ask students to choose a smaller unit such as eraser, coin and etc. Next, they will measure the big tree with the smaller units. eg:

big tree = ....coins

The teacher would then highlights on the different of the units by asking 

T: which unit you use less when measuring the big tree?

S: the large unit~

T: which unit you need more to measure the big tree?

S: the small unit

T: So, the larger the unit, the fewer you need to measure an object. But, sometimes, you need a smaller unit to measure small objects. Can you give me some examples small objects that need to be measured using small units?

S: a book, a bottle and a pencil case.

Making measuring devise for the Giant

Students will work in groups and the teacher, as the giant will tell the students that they need to give back the magic beans and it will be 4 cups of beans in a container. Then, the teacher will give each group a cup, a container, a jar of green beans and a marker. Students will then will have to put one cup a time into the container and label the container with the marker at the level of each cup. After they finish labeling the 4 cups of beans, the teacher then ask questions such as "are you sure that you have put 4 cups of beans, the giant will be really angry if it's not correct. why don't you check it by putting the beans from the container into the cup". these would scaffold their comprehension on the fact that each level that that they had label is equal to one cup and vice versa. Finally, each group will present the container with magic beans to the giant. It's so easy~^^