Measuring Me
Second grade is starting to learn about measurement. We watched a video on how Ancient Egyptians measured length and the two systems, customary and metric, that we use for measuring length in modern times. Students worked to measure four different areas on their bodies:
- Height
- Wingspan
- Feet
- Distance between thumb and pinkie finger (when extended)
After measuring, we compared the lengths of height to wingspan. Students found that their height is within 5 centimeters of their height. With my help, students wrote an formula for determining someone's height based on their wingspan or vice versa,
Height + 5 cm = Wingspan
or
Wingspan + 5 cm = Height
We then repeated the discussion focusing on the lengths of their foot and distance between thumb and pinky finger. Once again, students noticed that these lengths are very close and wrote another formula.
This was extremely challenging for second graders but these students persevered! I'm so proud of their discovery.
