Halves and quarters (age 8+)
Generate measurement data by measuring lengths to the nearest half and quarter inch; display the data on a line plot with a scale marked in whole numbers, halves, and quarters
What a learner can do afterwards
- Measure five objects to the nearest 1/4 inch
- Create a line plot showing the lengths of classmates' pencils in half-inches
- Read a line plot and answer questions about the data
The lesson
You already know how to measure things and build a line plot. Now you will measure closer: to the nearest half inch, or the nearest quarter inch. A ruler splits every inch into four equal quarter marks: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and the whole inch.
Five students measured their pencils to the nearest quarter inch: 2 in, 2 1/4 in, 2 1/2 in, 2 1/2 in, and 3 in. For each pencil, they put one X above its length on a number line marked in quarters.
When two objects share a length, stack their X's above the same mark. Halves and quarters share the same scale too: 1/2 inch sits at the same spot as 2/4 inch.
Measure to the nearest quarter inch, mark an X for each length, and read the tallest stack to find the most common length.
Watch it
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.