Metrics and Measures

 Let’s collect several metric measures activities for fall.  The activities are all upper level.  Whenever, Rob and I teach Chem or Physics the teens have an enormously varied background in science.  Some families do not teach any science before high school.  (These kiddos don’t have any bad habits to unlearn.  Generally, the teens catch up quickly.)   Metric measures are reinforced ALL YEAR!  

1.  Start with Sort It Out! This card sort addresses relative size.  We use this type of activity to see what kiddos already know or remember.  (Yes, we will point out that the topic WAS JUST TAUGHT LAST YEAR IN GEOMETRY CLASS!) Note that the answer key is expressed in scientific notation—part of metric measures—at least for our classes!  Additionally, there are metric prefixes.  Start with the relative size card sort and hold on to the other activities until the kiddos get more practice.

2. You need a mnemonic for metric prefixes.  We use Many Kids Have Dropped Over Dead Converting Metrics: Mega, Kilo, Deka, base (meter, gram, liter), deci, centi, milli.  This mneumonic covers metric units more frequently used in high school.  (Sure, there are others for you over achievers.  Try this one.)

3.  Texas Gateway offers Measurement, a complete unit with a video and some basic instructions for measures, such as reading a ruler or thermometer.  

4. Do Measurement Labs: Introduction to Measurement (pennies), Metric Measures Lab, and Metric Measurement Lab.  Yes, chemistry and physics instructors tend to combine lessons about equipment with a review of measures, accuracy, etc.

5. The upper level classes combine a review of metrics with accuracy, measures, scientific notation, conversions, and percent error—even equipment!  How?  I use It’s All About Density.  I use blocks, corks, metal cubes, glass marbles, etc.  (The metal cylinders and cubes are used for Specific Heat Lab, too. I use both metal cylinders or density cubes.  Surprise!  Free of charge is another review of metrics, measures, accuracy, conversions, etc.)  Most kiddos are familiar with density; if not, it’s a quick lesson about Archimedes.

6.  Tutorials: Khan Academy: Unit Conversion and Crash Course Unit Conversion and Sig Figs.

7.  Metric Worksheets for Practice: SI Units, Measurements, and Metric Conversion Worksheet.  TOPS has several metric measures books.

One concept which is hard to understand is that 1 cm3 = 1 mL.  Each cubic centimeter is the same as one milliliter.  Use a base-10 cube with this volume activity.  This explanation may help.  Follow up with the video below.