Students use standard measurement tools to record distances in close proximity. By using experiments and mathematical equations, they can also calculate distances out of their immediate range. The NASA website explains that, by using a protractor, string and paper clip, children can figure out the distance of the North Star, which also signifies their latitude. Attach the paper clip to a string and tie the other end onto the crossbar of the protractor and point the curved edge downward. While tilting the protractor, look along the edge for the North Star and record what number on the protractor the string is resting on to determine your latitude. Students can also use math to calculate map distances by figuring out the distance represented by one inch, measuring inches between locations and multiplying the figures.
When discussing the utensils of liquid measurement, such as teaspoons, cups, pints, quarts, liters and gallons, provide students with these objects and allow them to experiment. By measuring and transferring liquid between various tools, students determine the conversions between the instruments. They might work together on a worksheet to find out how many cups make up a pint or the amount of teaspoons it takes to fill a cup. They will need to keep mathematical calculations throughout the activity by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
As a classroom experiment in time measurement, invite the students to examine the rings of an old tree stump. The children will count the rings on the stump to determine the length of a tree's existence. Students can also measure the width of each tree ring to determine the conditions of the tree's environment in a given year. The thick rings signify a healthy year for the tree while thin rings represent a year with drought or diseases.
Bring scales into the classroom and allow students to experiment with weight measurement. They should hypothesize weights of classroom objects and then weigh them to test their theories. Students can compare the fresh and dry weight of a plant to investigate the amount of water a plant contains. Weigh a plant just after picking it and then again after drying it in an oven on a low temperature overnight. Using the data from the experiment, the students will rely on math to determine the amount of water lost overnight.