SUSME Study Lesson

Title: How Do You Measure Up?

Authors: Tommy Lyas, Tashina Lee, Derrick Billups, LaRhonda Brown
Grade/Subject: 8th Grade Physical Science Date: September 19, 2009
I. Need for this Lesson
To Bridge the Gap between
1. What students learn in elementary school (moving decimal points right or left) to what will be
expected in high school (Dimensional Analysis).
2. Have students understand that moving the decimal point will not work when making
conversions between the metric system and English system.
3. Have students understand the mathematics behind metric conversions.
II. Unit Information
A. Name of the unit: The Metric System /Dimensional Analysis
B. Goal(s) of the unit: The goals of this lesson are for students to be able to correctly
manipulate measurement tools and convert within the metric system as well as between the metric
and English systems.
C. Relationship of the Unit to the Curriculum
Prerequisite Knowledge - Related Concepts to be
Previously Learned Concepts Concepts for this Unit Learned in Future Units
and Courses
1. Multiplication and division 1. Equivalence Statements Unit/course:
Manipulating of Formulas
2. Place Value 2. Conversion Factors
Unit/course 2:
3. Basic Units for Mass, 3. Dimensional Analysis Proper Manipulation of
Length, Volume and Density measurement tools

4. How prefixes change 4. Manipulation of

meaning of base words. Measurement tools

D. Possible Student Misconceptions

1. Students may not understand that there are different systems of measurements.
2. Students may not understand the difference between mass and weight.
 E. Instructional Plan for the Unit:

Concept/Topic # of Lessons
1. Administer Pre-test
(1)*
2. Develop functional understanding of how to set up Dimensional Analysis
problems. (PowerPoint Presentation)

3. Set-up Student Stations for Mass, Length, and Volume Dimensional

(2-6)
Analysis, and Real World Connections. (Measurement, Use of
appropriate tools, and terminology)
* Indicates the lesson developed in this lesson plan

III. Instructional Plan for this Study Lesson

A. Title of the study lesson: Metric Measurement and Dimensional Analysis
B. Standards Addressed (national, state):
NS. 5.8.2 Properties and changes of properties of matter.
ACOS 8.1.2 Measuring dimension, volume, mass, length using SI units
C. Lesson Overview: This lesson is designed to provide students will the appropriate skills to
handle measurement tools and set up conversion problems using the dimensional analysis method.
D. Performance Objective(s):
1. Create conversion factors from equivalence statements.
2. Manipulate metric measurement tools and apparatus.
3. Convert measurement problems using dimensional analysis.

E. Assessment Timeline

Diagnostic - Before student Formative - During lesson Summative - After lesson is completed
work begins
Pre-Test one week prior to Teacher observation, Teacher- Unit test, Midpoint quiz and Student
starting unit. Student interaction during station Lab Report
work, homework, and station
assignment.
F. Materials/Resources
LCD, Computer, Triple beam balance, Rulers, Graduated cylinder, various materials to measure
mass, length, and volume. Handouts, Glue, Construction paper, Scissors, PowerPoint.
 G. Teaching/Learning Process of the Study Lesson (The following is a 6 day lesson
w/multiple rotating engaging, exploring, and explanation activities.)

Step Teaching/Learning Activities Handouts, Evaluate:

and time equipment, Objective(s)
allocation supplies. Points to addressed & how
(min) remember. assessed.
Engage Question: Imagine this! Youre driving PowerPoint slide #1. Student Responses
(Day 1) along a highway in Mexico and you notice a
speed limit sign that reads 80km/hr, what
should your speed be in miles per hour?
Metric Background
Explore Discuss background of the Metric System. Information
Handout
(Day 1) Introduce Dimensional Analysis and
Anchor Activity. Dimensional
Explain Analysis ppt.
Days 2-6: Teacher will select and use a
Student should
(Day 1) science starter that will ask the students 3 Student- Anchor
identify properties
questions. The 3 questions should Activity Handout measured in the
Engage incorporate one from each of the following
metric system.
categories:
Day 2-6
Teacher
a) Dimensional analysis observation of
b.) Proper selection of measurement students working
equipment on the anchor
c.) Proper metric units activity.

Explore Students will rotate through the five stations Length Instruction
designed to enhance their knowledge of Sheets, metric ruler,
Day2-6 Length, Mass, Volume, Dimensional various objects to
Analysis and how the real world uses measure.
conversions.
 Length Station Students will read
background information about how
to measure length and calculate area.
Students will practice measuring Volume instruction Teacher
teacher selected items and calculate sheets, metric rulers, observation of
area. graduated cylinders, students at various
Volume Station Students will read water, various items stations and
background information about how to measure. students
to measure volume and calculate Mass instruction completion of
volume. Students will practice sheet, triple beam assignments at each
measuring teacher selected items and balances, various station.
calculate the Volume. items to measure.

Mass Station Students will read Anchor Activity-

background information about how dimensional analysis
to measure Mass. Students will handout.
practice measuring teacher selected
items. Real World Articles

Anchor Activity Students will

continue to work on dimensional
analysis and anchor activity handout
from day one.

Real World Connection Students

will select an article to read about
errors in measurements in the
workforce. Students will use
Blooms Taxonomy to create a
question for each level and
demonstrate their comprehension.

Extend Class Discussion of articles relating

(10 min) conversions to the real world.
IV. Attachments (worksheets, labs, project guides, tests, rubrics, etc.)
Measurement PreTest.doc
Length station sheet 1.ppt
length sheet 2.doc
Mass Station Sheet 1.ppt
Mass station sheet 2.pdf
Mass sheet 2.doc
Volume station sheet 1.ppt
Volume sheet 2.doc
Density HW -Ext.ppt
Real World Connection Instructions.doc
Real World Article 1.pdf
Real World Article 2.doc
Dimensional Analysis.ppt
Anchor Activity part1.doc
Anchor Activity Part2.ppt
metric system ext.pdf
metric test.pdf