Math Scales

Math Scales

Goals:

1. For students to make connection between literature and real-life activities.

2. For students to learn how to properly use a balance or scale.. In doing so, students will

learn how to accurately weigh different items.

3. Student will compare the weight of certain items with each other. Furthermore, they

will use proportions to balance the weights of the two items being compared.

4. Students will work cooperatively.

Resources/Materials:

1. Balances or scales

2. Handout

Time

Approximately one hour

Procedure:

1. Explain that one of the things that happened in chapter 2 of Blue Skin of the Sea was

the which weighed more scenario between the pig and Aunty Pearl. Ask the students to

recap what happened during this scene.

2. Explain to the students that they will be working with scales (trying to balance the scale,

determining which items weigh more than others and how much more, etc.)

3. First, the instructor should demonstrate how the students use scales, unless the students

have previous knowledge about this.

4. After the demonstration, arrange the students into groups of 4-5 students.

5. Allow roughly 20 minutes for the students to weigh various object that they choose .

Some examples of the items to weigh are the following: pens, erasers, scissors, etc.

While the students are weighing these objects, they should record the information on the

6. After all items are weighed and recorded, the students should then proceed to work on the math

portion of the handout individually.

Assessment:

1. Handout will be collected and evaluated by the instructor. (Criteria for Success = Each

individual should submit their own handout to the teacher. At least two of the comparisons

should be completed and accurate.)

2. Peer and self-evaluation will be conducted by team members by completing the appropriate

rubrics. (Criteria for Success = Each team member must receive an average of 3 on both the

peer and self evaluations.)

Curricular Strands and Major Concepts:

1. Math - Comparison, subtraction, proportions.

2. Science - Balances, weights, accuracy.

Possible Extensions:

1. Neptune's Web - Students could make conversions relevant to the amount of water in

the ocean.