Lesson 3: The importance of acccurate and square measurements.

Title: The importance of acccurate and square measurements.

Author: A. Stillman

Subject:

Grade:

Week:

Unit/Lesson Plan #:

Unit theme:

Materials needed:

8 x (3"x5") index cards per group

4 x (5" x 8") index cards per group

2 pair scissors per group

1 ruler per group

template designs (attached)

Learning objectives:

Skills: 

* Accurate, square measurement and marking of materials using a straight ruler. 

* Reading and executing a design template. 

* Making precise, notched cuts with scissors. 

Understandings: 

* Measurement accuracy is critical in structural projects.

* Measurement or cutting errors are compounded the more structural members need to fit together. 

Key Questions, Concepts, or Themes:

Stage 1:

Show off pre-built 1" square honeycomb structure. Discuss the importance of pre-measuring all cuts in order to achieve beauty and strength in this structure.

Stage 2: Distribute 3x5 index cards and rulers (or distribute to desks before class). Have students work with the blank white side up. Use a rectangular whiteboard and meterstick, or a document camera to model the process of making a set of marks that results in a square cut. Distribute the template (attached) to illustrate to students the measurements they will need to make. Lead students through the process of making a dashed reference line in order to save time making each of their subsequent cut marks. Have every student show you their product before they can make additional cards.

One most students have shown you a high quality product, pause the group to illustrate the notching technique (cut away enough material on each notch to allow the width of the material to pass snugly). Guide the groups to look at the second template, and illustrate what the outside structural members look like. Now challenge the groups to complete their honeycomb structures.

Stage 3: Students work in groups to complete their honeycomb structures. *(my classes didn't finish this in a single 50 min period)

Homework: No homework in this class?

Assessments: (attach/link copies)

_X_ Group assessment

__ Observation of process/student work

__ Self-assessment by student

_X_ Teacher generated assignment

__ Written project

__ Test/Quiz

_X_ Other: Measurement and construction proficiency