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This Handy Measuring Ratio activity also includes:
Your hand can be a handy tool for measurement. Young mathematicians learn how to estimate the height of objects by applying similarity. They find the horizontal distance from the object where spreading their outstretched fingers results in the thumb and little finger matching up with the height of the object. Once they determine the horizontal distance, they then divide it by three to find the height.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Have the class measure local buildings and structures and compare their heights to available building plans
Classroom Considerations
- Knowledge of similarity is helpful but not necessary
- Activity requires completing the Stride Ruler lesson first
Pros
- Includes printable PDF handout
- Outdoor activity is likely to interest learners
Cons
- None