#507. How big is a whale

Science, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Nov 7 17:41:02 PST 2002 by Rob Moyer (rmoyer@pvsd.org).
PVSD, Collegeville USA
Materials Required: Tape, Scissors, Yard Sticks, Cut strips of constriction paper, calculators
Activity Time: 30-45 minutes
Concepts Taught: Whale lengths

In this lesson students will be placed into a group. The group sizes can be determined by the teacher. Each group is assigned a specific whale that they need to research the size of. Students should use the internet or print books to determine how large an adult whale of their type is. Using this information students will measure the length of their whale in the hallway. They should tape long strips of construction paper together to show the length.
When each group is finished have the class conpare the size of the whales to other items like a pencil, desk or fifth grade students. Students can also graph the results or do English to Metric conversions as extension activities.
Students will complete this lesson by writing in their science journals their findings.