Measurement Games

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Practice measuring and ordering items.
• Use logic and critical thinking to solve measurement puzzles.

Resources:

Materials

For each student pair:

• Pencil or pen
• Notebook or notebook paper

For each station:

• Student Instructions (see attached PDF file)

For Station 1:

• 5 transparent containers of comparable volume and a variety of shapes, partially filled with water
• 5 sticky notes
• Graduated cylinder or large measuring cup
• Paper towels (for cleaning spills)

For Station 2:

• Ruler

For Station 3:

• 5 objects or bundles of objects of different masses
• Balance or scale

For Station 4:

• Large beaker (500 mL or 1000 mL) filled with pebbles, gravel, or small rocks
• Pitcher of water (for cleaning spills)
• Graduated cylinder or large measuring cup
• Paper towels

For Station 5:

• Jar or other container filled with 80-100 small objects

For the whole group:

• Play money or a useful substitute, such as colored or labeled index cards
• (Optional) Gag prizes or certificates

Resources:

Measurement Games

Activity Steps

1. Tell students that today they will play measurement games. If you have prepared prizes, announce that you will award prizes for the winners.
2. If necessary, allow the managers a few minutes to review their games and practice the gameplay. During this time, discuss measurement with the students. Note: Plan to hold up a rock or pebble as you ask the third question.
   
   • What are some different ways you can measure an object? (Examples include length, volume, mass, and temperature.)
   • Do you need tools to make these measurements? Why? (Yes. Tools allow precise measurements and provide a way for comparing the measurements of different objects.)
   • How could you measure the volume of this rock? (Sink it in water, and measure the increase in the volume of water.)
   • Why is measurement an important skill? Give some examples. (Precise measurements are used by carpenters and construction workers in their projects, by doctors to assess the health of their patients, by chefs and bakers to follow a recipe, and by farmers when they plant or fertilize crops.)
3. When everyone is ready, divide the students into groups, and assign each group to a station. Then, have the station managers begin the measurement games.
4. Circulate among the groups and assist as needed. Make sure spills are wiped up quickly with the paper towels. Be ready to replace supplies of water when needed.
5. Call time after about 10 minutes, and have students rotate to the next stations. Alternatively, allow students to move among the stations at their own pace. Every student does not need to visit each station.
6. At the end of the session, survey students for the highest point totals. Award prizes or certificates if you prepared them.
7. Briefly discuss the activity. Ask students to describe how their estimates or guesses compared to the actual measurements.

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