- Students will be able to measure the dimensions of a garden space accurately.
- Students will be able to convert their measurements to a scale of 1:20.
- Students will be able to create a scale model of the garden space using their converted measurements.
- Students will be able to present their scale models and discuss the process of creating them.
- Google Maps*
- Figma* or Canva
- Outline of desired space
- Tape measures or rulers
- Paper and pencils for drawing the model
- Optional: construction paper, scissors, glue, and other craft materials for making 3D models
Science and Engineering Practices: Planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: Properties of matter, engineering design, and mathematical thinking.
- During the group work and presentation phases of the lesson, encourage students to practice active listening, respect, and empathy towards each other's ideas and perspectives.
- Provide opportunities for students to collaborate, negotiate, and problem-solve together, and recognize and praise instances of positive communication and cooperation.
- Provide feedback and coaching to students who may struggle with these skills, and encourage them to practice and improve over time.
Outline of desired space:
- Using Google Maps, an instructor needs to screenshot a picture of an area outside on their campus. We then need to copy that image into a free software like Canva or Figma to draw outlines of the space being measured by students. That final outline needs to be exported and pasted into a Word Document to make a worksheet.
An example of worksheet included here: Link
Template to paste outline into here:
📝 Activity
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Begin the lesson by asking students to think about the last time they played on a courtyard.
- What did they notice about the size and shape of the court yard?
- Explain to the students that they will be measuring and creating a scale model of a courtyard in this lesson.
Measuring the courtyard (15 minutes)
- Take the students outside to the court yard and give each group a measuring tape and a sheet of paper.
- Instruct the students to measure the length and width of the court yard, using appropriate tools and units of measurement.
- Have students record their measurements on their paper.
Creating a Scale Model (20 minutes)
- Introduce the concept of scale and explain that a scale model is a smaller version of the real object, but with all the same proportions.
- Explain that a scale of 1:20 means that for every 1 unit of measurement in the real object, the scale model will represent 1/20 of that unit.
- Instruct the students to use a ruler and the measurements they took earlier to create a scale model of the court yard on their paper.
- Encourage students to be creative and use color and labels to make their scale model more informative.
Evaluation and Adjustment (10 minutes)
- Have students evaluate their scale model and compare it to the real courtyard.
- Ask students to identify any differences or areas where they need to make adjustments.
- Encourage students to make necessary changes to their scale model and discuss how these
- changes affect the accuracy of the model.
Differentiation
Remediation
Provide bilingual materials: Consider providing bilingual materials such as a vocabulary list, graphic organizers, or notes in the student's native language. This will help the student understand key concepts and directions in their primary language.
Pair students with a bilingual partner: Assign a fluent English speaker to work with the non-English speaking student as a partner. This will allow the non-English speaking student to clarify instructions and ask questions as they work through the activity. Additionally, it can be beneficial for both students, as they can practice their communication and collaboration skills.
Break down concepts into smaller parts: To make the material more manageable, consider breaking down math concepts into smaller, more manageable parts. For example, if the lesson is on long division, start by reviewing basic multiplication facts or work on two-digit division before moving on to more complex problems. By gradually building up the complexity of the concepts, you can help the student gain a better understanding of the material.
Use manipulatives or visual aids: Many students who struggle with math benefit from using manipulatives or visual aids to help them visualize the concepts they are working with. This could include using blocks or counters to demonstrate basic addition and subtraction, or drawing pictures or diagrams to illustrate word problems. By using hands-on materials, you can help the student better understand abstract concepts and improve their ability to reason mathematically.
Acceleration
As an extension activity, students could use the measurements and scale model to calculate the perimeter and total area of the courtyard, or explore other mathematical concepts such as volume, surface area, or ratios.