VIDEO 2 OF 3 - This video addresses NC standard 5.NF.1. It explains strategies for making estimates when adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Strategies for making estimates before and after problems solving are provided.

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Matt and Inez have to choose a cage for Spout the Whale. The cages they find in a store come in different sizes and Matt and Inez are not sure of Spout?s exact size. They use estimation and non-standard measurements to estimate Spout's size and select the best cage. Teaching tips are also provided that discuss frame, focus and follow-up suggestions for using this video in a math lesson.

Students learn about the many types of expenses associated with building a bridge. Working like engineers, they estimate the cost for materials for a bridge member of varying sizes. After making calculations, they graph their results to compare how costs change depending on the use of different materials (steel vs. concrete). They conclude by creating a proposal for a city bridge design based on their findings.

This lesson is Day 1 in a series of 5 lessons around U.S customary measurement.

This 3rd grade video lesson introduces the U.S. customary measurements for length: inches, feet, and yards. In this lesson, students will learn benchmarks (visuals) for measuring in inches, feet and yards when they don't have standard measurement tools available.

This lesson is Day 1 in a series of 5 lessons around U.S customary measurement.

This lesson focuses on measuring lengths to the nearest fourth of a inch, and discusses when it's necessary to find a precise measurement versus an estimate.

For this task, students work in pairs to estimate the measure of each person's foot and to determine the appropriate measuring tool to use. Once a measurement tool has been chosen, students measure the foot and record the lengths.

Students measure the length of a gummy worm with a ruler. Students stretch the gummy worm as far as he/she can and measure the stretched gummy worm. Students identify the difference in length between the original and stretched gummy worm and record their findings.

Students determine the coefficient of restitution (or the elasticity) for super balls. Working in pairs, they drop balls from a meter height and determine how high they bounce. They measure, record and repeat the process to gather data to calculate average bounce heights and coefficients of elasticity. Then they extrapolate to determine the height the ball would bounce if dropped from much higher heights.

For this assessement task, students make reasonable estimates for different parts of their body and choose the meassurement tool they feel is best to use to measure their body parts. A scoring rubric is included.

For this assessement task, students estimate the measurement of labeled objects around the classroom and measure them using centimeters, inches, feet, or meters.

Students learn about the major factors that comprise the design and construction cost of a modern bridge. Before a bridge design is completed, engineers provide overall cost estimates for construction of the bridge. Students learn about the components that go into estimating the total cost, including expenses for site investigation, design, materials, equipment, labor and construction oversight, as well as the trade-off between a design and its cost.

Students analyze and begin to design a pyramid. Working in engineering teams, they perform calculations to determine the area of the pyramid base, stone block volumes, and the number of blocks required for their pyramid base. They make a scaled drawing of the pyramid using graph paper.

This resource is from Tools4NCTeachers. This file contains a set of 4 tasks (including scoring rubric and student recording sheet).  The tasks may be used for instruction or assessment. Remix this resource to include student work samples or addtional tasks.