METRICS IN THE HOME AND IN THE STORE

Granderson, Mary                    Senn Metro Academy
                                    1-312-989-3567


OBJECTIVES

1. Students will be able to compare Metric Measurements used in common household 
   items to their English equivalents. 
2. Students will be able to compare sizes of various items of equal weight, volume 
   and length. 

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

Standard English Measuring Cup      Scissors
Ruler, Inches and  Centimeter       Liter size Containers
Balls of String                     Quart size Containers
Graduated Cylinder                  Several one pound size items
Water                               Metric Weights

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

A. Measuring Lengths            (Inches and Centimeters)

     Have students guess the horizontal and vertical lengths of their desk or 
tables. Next have them actually measure them in inches and in centimeters. Have them 
compare their results.  How accurate were their guesses? 
     Have students measure six inches of string, set it aside. Measure six 
centimeters of string. Compare the two lengths of string.  Explain that an inch is 
about two and a half times larger than a centimeter. (1 inch = 2.54 cm). 
     Have students measure 36 inches of string, put it aside. Measure approximately 
100 centimeters of string. Compare the two lengths of string. (36 inches = 1 yard), 
(39.37 inches = 1 meter) and (1 meter = 100 centimeters).  Discuss the difference in 
length of the yard and the meter. 

B. Measuring Volume               (Quarts and Liters)
     
     Have students examine a quart size container and a liter size container.  
Discuss which one might hold the largest amount. 
     Have students fill the liter container with water.  Pour the water from the 
liter container into the quart container.  Measure the amount that remains, first 
using the measuring cups and then using the graduated cylinder. (At this time you may 
want to discuss the fact that a liter is larger than a quart and that 1 ounce = 30 
ml.) 

C. Measuring Weights               (Pounds and Grams)

     Have students observe various one pound size containers. Have students observe 
the Metric weights. Compare the one gram size Metric weight with the one pound size 
container. (l lb = 454 grams).