Metric Equivalents

Lesson Plan #: AELP-MEA0006

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

AUTHOR: Rebecca Tresino, Sun Valley Jr./Sr. High, AK

Date: 1994

Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

Mathematics/Measurement

OVERVIEW:

Students will use a shortcut method to change one metric unit to another (Ex: kilometers to centimeters), by using a diagram which uses words students can relate and remember.

PURPOSE:

To simplify metric equivalents.

OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to convert a metric measurement to another, easily and quickly.

ACTIVITIES:

K H D (unit) D C M

which stands for:

K	H	D	(unit)	D	C	M
i	e	e		e	e	i
l	c	k		c	n	l
o	t	a		i	t	l
	o				i	i

students will remember:

K	over	H	over	D	over	D	over	C	over	M
i		u		r		o		a		o
n		m		a		g		t		u
g		a		g						s
s		n		o						e
		s		n
				s

1. You will decide what unit you are changing FROM and what unit you are changing TO.
2. Starting at the FROM unit, count over (keeping in mind "left" or "right") to the TO unit.
**This will be the number of places you will move the decimal in your answer.

EXAMPLES: 32 kilograms = ______________ grams
You want to change FROM kilograms TO grams. Use diagram and count over, starting at kilograms to grams.

K	H	D	(grams)	D	C	M
(start)	1->	2->	3

**(3 places to the right)
Now we use this information (3 places to the "right") and apply to the given information - 32 kilograms.

given info 3 places to the "right"

32 kilograms = 32.000 = 32000
32 kilograms = 32000 grams

May 1994
These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.