Measure in Fourths of an Inch
10 min
Narrative
The purpose of this Estimation Exploration is to practice the skill of estimating a reasonable answer based on experience and known information. The Warm-up also draws students' attention to a length between a full inch and one-half of an inch, preparing students to work with such lengths later.
Launch
- Groups of 2
- Display the image.
- “What is an estimate that’s too high? Too low? About right?”
- 1 minute: quiet think time
Teacher Instructions
- “Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
- 1 minute: partner discussion
- Record responses.
Student Task
What is the length of the paper clip?
Record an estimate that is:
| too low | just right | too high |
|---|---|---|
Solution Steps (4)
- 1Look at paper clip on ruler→Paper clip is between 1 and 2 inches, appears closer to 1¼
- 2Estimate too low value→1⅛ inches or less would be too low
- 3Estimate about right value→Between 1⅙ and 1⅓ inches is about right
- 4Estimate too high value→1½ inches or greater would be too high
Sample Response
Sample responses:
- Too low: 181 inches or less
- About right: Between 161 and 131 inches
- Too high: 121 inches or greater
Activity Synthesis (Teacher Notes)
- Consider asking:
- “Is anyone’s estimate less than _____? Is anyone’s estimate greater than _____?”
- “Based on this discussion, does anyone want to revise their estimate?”
Standards
Addressing
- 3.MD.4·Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units— whole numbers, halves, or quarters.
- 3.MD.B.4·Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units–-whole numbers, halves, or quarters.
20 min
20 min
Knowledge Components
All skills for this lesson
Role Legend
Target
Essential
Supporting
Foundational
All lesson KCs
3 skills
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Measure in Fourths of an Inch
10 min
Narrative
The purpose of this Estimation Exploration is to practice the skill of estimating a reasonable answer based on experience and known information. The Warm-up also draws students' attention to a length between a full inch and one-half of an inch, preparing students to work with such lengths later.
Launch
- Groups of 2
- Display the image.
- “What is an estimate that’s too high? Too low? About right?”
- 1 minute: quiet think time
Teacher Instructions
- “Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
- 1 minute: partner discussion
- Record responses.
Student Task
What is the length of the paper clip?
Record an estimate that is:
| too low | just right | too high |
|---|---|---|
Solution Steps (4)
- 1Look at paper clip on ruler→Paper clip is between 1 and 2 inches, appears closer to 1¼
- 2Estimate too low value→1⅛ inches or less would be too low
- 3Estimate about right value→Between 1⅙ and 1⅓ inches is about right
- 4Estimate too high value→1½ inches or greater would be too high
Sample Response
Sample responses:
- Too low: 181 inches or less
- About right: Between 161 and 131 inches
- Too high: 121 inches or greater
Activity Synthesis (Teacher Notes)
- Consider asking:
- “Is anyone’s estimate less than _____? Is anyone’s estimate greater than _____?”
- “Based on this discussion, does anyone want to revise their estimate?”
Standards
Addressing
- 3.MD.4·Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units— whole numbers, halves, or quarters.
- 3.MD.B.4·Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units–-whole numbers, halves, or quarters.