Module 5 Measuring
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Can I read a scale on a thermometer, protractor, ruler, weighing scale and measuring cylinder?

Example review questions

  • A piece of cheese has a mass of 350 grams. Mark an arrow on the scale to show the reading for 350 g.
    A measuring scale from zero to two kilogrammes. Marking points are presented in increments of 50 grammes.
  • What temperature is shown on this thermometer?
    A thermometer showing a temperature of 28 degrees.
  • Show children a range of different scales and ask questions such as:
    • What is the reading at this point?
    • What does each division represent?
    • What is the maximum this scale can represent?
    • How much more is needed to get to the next 100? To the next 1000?

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Can I read a scale on a thermometer, protractor, ruler, weighing scale and measuring cylinder? - teaching guidance | 60KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work. Roll over the highlighted resources for a description.

PDF file How to use ruler ITP | 120KB new window

SWF file Ruler ITP | 30KB new window

PDF file How to use measuring cylinder ITP | 171KB new window

SWF file Measuring cylinder ITP | 50KB new window

PDF file How to use measuring scales ITP | 151KB new window

SWF file Measuring scales ITP | 67KB new window

DOC file How to use thermometer ITP | 188KB new window

SWF file Thermometer ITP | 58KB new window

PDF file How to use polygon ITP | 176KB new window

SWF file Polygon ITP | 31KB new window

SWF file Scale challenge | 909KB new window

Ruler

itp_ruler.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of measure. Ruler ITP allows the child or teacher to represent lines of various lengths and then carry out measurements, using the on-screen ruler.

Measuring cylinder

itp_measuring_cylinder.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of number, measures and problem solving. Measuring cylinder ITP allows the child or teacher to simulate varying intervals on a scale, pouring liquid into the cylinder and interpreting the scale. The ITP can be used to explore and consolidate the interpretation and reading of scales, mental calculation strategies and methods of recording.

Polygon

itp_polygons.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of shape, space and measure. Polygon ITP allows the child or teacher to represent regular polygons with three to ten sides. The ITP can then be used to explore the properties of regular and irregular shapes by dragging vertices and creating additional vertices. The ITP includes an on-screen protractor and ruler.

Measuring scales

itp_measuring_scales.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of number, measures and problem solving. Measuring scales ITP allows the child or teacher to add different masses of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 units to a scale pan. The scale intervals can be changed to challenge children to interpret different scales.

Thermometer

itp_thermometer.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of number and measures. Thermometer ITP allows the child or teacher to display a thermometer whose scale, range and interval markers can be changed. It can be used to develop children's understanding of scales and negative numbers in the context of temperature.

PDF file Springboard 6, Lesson 16 Measures 2 | 52KB new window

PDF file Springboard 6, Lesson 16 Resources | 21KB new window

PDF file Springboard 7, Unit 11, Sections 1, 2 and 3 Mass, Units of mass, Capacity | 1.2MB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include practical experience at home and school, for example:

  • following a recipe, using precise measurements for mass and capacity or volume;
  • measuring the growth of plants in a science experiment;
  • recording temperatures in the classroom over a day to monitor changes;
  • measuring jumps or throws in PE.

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • How could you annotate each image to help you read the scale accurately?
    Two measuring jugs: Jug A and Jug B. Jug A contains 400 ml of fluid. Jug B contains 320 ml of fluid.
  • On this scale, the arrow shows the weight of a pineapple.
    A weighing scale with an arrow pointing to one point four kg.
    Here is a different scale. Mark with an arrow the weight of the same pineapple.
    A weighing scale showing zero to four kg with markers in increments of 20 kg.