Third Grade Measurement Lessons
In third grade in the United States, lesson plans should focus on teaching students what's known as the Imperial system for measuring. Third grade students should become acquainted with measurement systems for weight, height, length and temperature. Lesson plans teach third graders to measure properly, because it is an essential skill that sets the foundation for future learning.
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Learn to Read a Ruler and Measuring
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Learning to read a ruler is a skill that can help children complete crafts or hobbies. Print a 12-inch ruler for each of your students. Have the third graders note the differences between types of measurements: millimeters, centimeters and inches. Assign students to mark specific numbers, such as ¼ or ½ inch. Students also can use the ruler for applied knowledge, such as measuring the length, width or height of cups, pieces of paper, teddy bears or other objects you have on hand in the classroom.
Gauging Temperature
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Teach you third graders to read a thermometer. Assign them to mark specific temperatures on a printed thermometer. Give your students several temperatures to color in, such as 15 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius.
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Cooking and Measuring
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Measuring accurately is an important skill in the kitchen, too. Talk with your students about how food can be ruined if the amounts of ingredients, such as spices, flour or baking soda, are not precise. Third graders can use measuring cups and measuring spoons to follow the directions in a simple recipe. Teach your students how to measure both dry and liquid ingredients.
Measuring Weight and Mass
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Give students scales to weigh food or another item, such as a bag of flour or a book. Teach students to recognize the amount that registers on the scale and to recognize the difference when weight is added.
Also teach your third graders how to measure mass. Students can compare and rank several objects based on mass. Ask the children to guess which object is the heaviest and the lightest and to estimate how much each one weighs. Children should guess what object has the most mass and which has the least.
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References
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