Measuring Up 2000-Sample Activities</head>

Sample Activities Developed by the Project Staff

Symmetry Game

Working with a partner, draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. Using the pattern blocks (and a mirror for checking), player 1 places a block on one side of the line. Player 2 places an identical block on the other side of the line to form a symmetric image. Player 2 begins the next "round" by placing another pattern block on the paper. Player 1 must complete the symmetric image. Continue until you have built an interesting design. Discuss with your partner how you decided where to place the pieces.

Folded Findings

Cut the figures below apart along the dotted line. Use folding to identify the lines of symmetry. As you are folding, notice the vertices that match up. Open the folded figure and use a ruler to connect the corresponding vertices. Can you draw a conclusion from your experiences?

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Patterns in the Symmetry of Regular Polygons

Draw the lines of symmetry that are present in the following regular polygons. Use a mirror if needed to check your answers.

What conclusions can you draw about the lines of symmetry for regular figures with an even number of sides?

What conclusions can you draw about the lines of symmetry for regular figures with an odd number of sides?

How many squares can you find in this diagram?

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How Many Spots Does a Cheetah have?

What do you think you want to know to make an estimate for the number of spots on a cheetah?

Using the pictures of the cheetahs, estimate how many spots you think a cheetah has. Write your estimate and explain how you got this estimate and the strategies. In your explanation give your reasons for why you used certain strategies for finding your estimate.

How did you negotiate with each other in agreeing upon an estimate?

Based on the class discussion of each group's estimate and the following information, revise your estimate of how many spots a cheetah has (if you think you need to).

The word cheetah means spotted one. A cheetah has a buff colored coat with black spots. The spots on a cheetah are round or oval measuring between 0.75 and 1.5 inches in diameter. A cheetah's throat and abdomen are white and have no spts. The last one third of the tail is marked by four to six rings and ends with a tuft of fur with no spots. A cheetah is 30 to 36 inches tall at the shoulder and is six to seven feet in length including the tail. A cheetah weighs between 77 and 132 pounds.

What is your new estimate? Explain how you got this estimate and the strategies you used. In your explanation give your reasons for why you used certain strategies for finding your estimate. Tell why or why not you changes your estimate.

What important mathematical ideas did you think about when finding your estimate?

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Valentine's Hearts: Iterating and Coordinating Units of Measure

Areas and Fractions

Please cover the heart design with the yellow and green blocks below.

What portion (fraction) of the above heart is green (respectively, yellow) in color?

Can you name the above fraction in a different way?

Please explain why the above two fraction-names mean the same thing.

Measurement and Area

Please cover the heart design with yellow and green pattern blocks: How many yellow? How many green?

Please cover the heart design with blue and green blocks: How many blue? How many green?

Please cover the heart design with only red blocks. How many red?

Please cover the heart design with only green blocks. How many green?

Did the total area of the above heart change when you covered it with only red blocks? only green blocks?

Please explain to a friend what changed and what stayed the same when you used: only red blocks, or only green blocks to cover the heart design.

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