Lesson Plan | Technical Methodology | Units of Measurement: Length and Time

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the main units of measurement for length and time, as well as the instruments used to perform these measurements. By doing this, students will begin to develop essential practical skills that are foundational both in daily life and in various technical professions. This stage is crucial for connecting theoretical learning with practical applications and the job market, demonstrating the relevance of measurements in real contexts.

Main Objectives

1. Recognize and name the main units of measurement for length (centimeter, meter, kilometer) and time (second, minute, hour).

2. Identify and appropriately use instruments for measuring length (ruler, tape measure) and time (clock, stopwatch).

Side Objectives

1. Understand the importance of units of measurement in everyday life and in various professions.
2. Develop skills in estimation and comparison of measurements.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the main units of measurement for length and time, as well as the instruments used to perform these measurements. By doing this, students will begin to develop essential practical skills that are foundational both in daily life and in various technical professions. This stage is crucial for connecting theoretical learning with practical applications and the job market, demonstrating the relevance of measurements in real contexts.

Contextualization

Throughout our lives, we constantly use measurements of length and time. Whether calculating the distance to school or how long it takes to complete an activity, these units of measure are fundamental for understanding and organizing the world around us. Understanding the units of measurement for length and time helps us better plan our day, perform tasks accurately, and even pursue careers that require these skills, such as engineering, architecture, and athletics.

Curiosities and Market Connection

Did you know that the tape measure was patented in 1868 by Alvin J. Fellows? Before that, people used ropes and chains to measure distances. In the job market, units of measurement are essential in various professions. Civil engineers use length measurements to design buildings and bridges. Professional athletes use stopwatches to time their performances and improve their results. Without these precise measurements, it would be impossible to ensure safety and efficiency in many areas.

Initial Activity

To spark students' interest, start with a provocative question: 'Who can guess how many centimeters long the classroom is?' Then, show a short 2-minute video on how measurement units are used in the construction of large buildings and bridges (available on YouTube).

Development

Duration: 50 - 60 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to promote the practical application of the concepts of length and time measurement units, allowing students to develop relevant skills for the job market and for daily life. The practical activities and fixation exercises are designed to consolidate learning, encourage reflection, and improve students' ability to use precise measurements in different contexts.

Covered Topics

1. Main units of measurement for length: centimeter, meter, kilometer.
2. Main units of measurement for time: second, minute, hour.
3. Measuring instruments for length: ruler, tape measure.
4. Measuring instruments for time: clock, stopwatch.

Reflections on the Theme

Guide students to reflect on how the units of measurement for length and time are used in everyday life. Ask how they use these measures in their daily routines, such as calculating the distance to school or measuring the time for an activity. Encourage them to think of professions that depend on these measurements and how difficult it would be to perform these tasks without the appropriate units of measurement.

Mini Challenge

Building a Mini-Bridge

Students will build a mini-bridge using simple materials like popsicle sticks, glue, and a tape measure. They will need to measure and cut the sticks to different lengths to create a stable structure. After construction, students will time how long it took them to complete the task.

Instructions

1. Divide the students into groups of 4 to 5.
2. Distribute materials: popsicle sticks, glue, ruler, tape measure, and stopwatch.
3. Explain that each group must build a mini-bridge that can hold the weight of an eraser.
4. Students must measure and cut the sticks into different sizes (e.g., 5 cm, 10 cm) using the ruler and tape measure.
5. Students must record the total time taken to build the bridge using a stopwatch.
6. At the end, each group must present their bridge and report on the measurements used and the time taken.

Objective: Develop practical skills in measuring length and time, promote teamwork, and apply mathematical concepts in a real project.

Duration: 30 - 35 minutes

Evaluation Exercises

1. Ask students to measure the height of different objects in the classroom (chair, table, blackboard) and record the measurements in centimeters.
2. Request that students time how long it takes to perform simple tasks, such as organizing school materials or writing a sentence in their notebook.
3. Propose math problems that involve converting units of measurement, such as converting minutes to seconds and meters to centimeters.
4. Conduct a quick quiz with questions about the main units of measurement for length and time and their measuring instruments.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to reflect on what they have learned and discuss their experiences. The conclusion serves to reinforce the importance of units of measurement for length and time, connecting theoretical knowledge with its practical applications and relevance in the job market.

Discussion

Encourage an open discussion with students about what they learned. Ask how they felt while performing the practical activities, what difficulties they encountered, and what they found most interesting. Encourage them to share how they can apply the units of measurement for length and time in their daily lives and in different professions. Reflect on the importance of teamwork and how precise measurements are essential to ensuring efficiency and safety in various tasks and projects.

Summary

Recap the main content covered in the lesson: the units of measurement for length (centimeter, meter, kilometer) and time (second, minute, hour), as well as the measuring instruments (ruler, tape measure, clock, stopwatch). Remind students of the practical activity of building the mini-bridge, highlighting how they used the measurements of length and time to complete the challenge.

Closing

Explain how the lesson connected theory with practice and real-world applications. Emphasize the importance of understanding and correctly using units of measurement, both in daily life and in various professions. Conclude by highlighting that these skills are fundamental for organization, planning, and execution of tasks, and that precision in measurements can make a difference in many contexts.