Measurement videos
A series of videos that explore teaching measures in a variety of real-life contexts.
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Video
Accuracy of Measurements
This video resource from Teachers TV features mathematics teacher Mark Dawes as he delivers the first of a series of lessons on the bounds of intervals to a Year Eight class at Comberton Village College. Students work in groups and use non-standard units to measure things in and around their classroom. Behaving responsibly is an important aspect of this lesson and Mark ensures that he has established a positive relationship with the class before they undertake this activity. After measuring the height of the door in pencil cases, the width of the whiteboard in shoes and the length of the corridor in 'Bens', the class comes to some conclusions about the bounds of accuracy that can realistically be claimed for different units of measurement.
How long is a Metre?
This three minute video, from Twig World, explains that the metre is the base unit for measurement for most of the world, but how was it agreed how long a metre should be? The need for standardised units of measurement is discussed and the value of the metre being one ten millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator explained, this later being redefined more accurately in 1983.
The video is accompanied by a lesson plan and a worksheet covering measurement, estimation and conversion between metric units.
How Many Peas Fill the Classroom?
This video resource from Teachers TV features mathematics teacher Katie Slusar as she delivers a mathematical modelling lesson to a Year 7 class at Comberton Village College. Students plan how to approach the task, choose the appropriate equipment, and apply their measuring, estimation and calculating skills to establish how many chickpeas are required to fill the classroom. Students are encouraged to be creative and this is a fun and effective lesson idea that tackles some tricky mathematical concepts.
Measures
From the series Great Lesson Ideas, this Teachers TV video highlights activities that engage students in learning about measures.
From estimating volume in a variety of bottles, to creating a litre of their own 'magic potion' to using scales to accurately measure ingredients.
Measuring Height in Durham Cathedral
This video resource from Teachers TV is presented by Steve Humble. Filmed in Durham Cathedral, it investigates the mathematics used by master masons and the links with classical architecture. Steve demonstrates a technique, using a 30cm ruler, which can be used to estimate the height of a column within the cathedral, before applying similar triangles to give a more accurate measurement. The video uses Northern Architecture's Making Architecture Count project for schools, which develops resources that bring Key Stage Three Mathematics to life through exploring some of the region’s greatest buildings.
