#3644. How tall are you?

Mathematics, level: Elementary
Posted Fri Feb 3 17:52:36 PST 2006 by Megan Mulcahy (mulcahmc@pickens.k12.sc.us).
Forest Acres Elementary School, Easley, SC
Materials Required: Pencil, ruler, body length size of bulletin board paper for each student, life size model of Abe
Activity Time: 1 hour
Concepts Taught: Be able compare students height measurement to Abe Lincolns height

Before Lesson: Construct a life size modle of Abe Lincoln. I have made one out of bulletin board paper and hung him up on the wall like he was standing. This makes it easy for the students to stand next to him and see the height difference.

Procedure:
1. The teacher will have previously discussed the different units of measurement (inches, centimeters, feet, and meters). The teacher will review these measurements with the class.
2. The teacher will ask the students if they know how tall they are. The teacher will explain that Abe Lincoln is 6 feet 4 inches tall.
3. The teacher will tell the students that today they will be finding their height and then comparing it to Abe Lincoln's height. The teacher will have the students stand next to the model of Abe Lincoln to compare themselves to his height.
4. The teacher will put the students in groups of 2.
5. The teacher will give each group 2-body length sizes of bulletin board paper.
6. The teacher will ask one of the group members to lie on the floor while the other group member traces his or her partner.
7. The teacher will then have the other group member lie down on the floor while the other group member traces his or her partner.
8. The teacher will have the students measure themselves from head to toe with a ruler using inches.
9. The teacher will have the students write down their height in inches on their paper.
10. The teacher will explain that 12 inches = 1 foot. The teacher will have the students work together as partners to calculate up each partner's height in feet.
11. The teacher will then ask the students to figure out how much taller Abe Lincoln is compared to them.
12. The teacher will discuss with the students how Abe Lincoln was known for his height.
13. The teacher can have the students decorate their traced bodies and cut them out. The teacher can hang the student's pictures out in the hall/classroom for decoration.

Informal Assessment: During the lesson, the teacher can observe the class for comprehension. The teacher can also look for class participation. The teacher can check the student's heights to check for comprehension and for any areas that need to be reviewed.