Scuba Diving in Belize

Resources and Tools for Elementary Math Specialists and Teachers

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In this 5-lesson multi-media unit, students will explore various real-world applications of different forms of measurement, including time and distance. They will make estimations and calculations. Throughout the unit, students will be using online resources to familiarize themselves with coral reefs, the nation of Belize, and to plan a pretend scuba diving trip. Activity sheets (pdf), links to online resources, assessment options and other commentary are provided.

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Contributed by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) - Publisher, Tamie Dickson - Author

This resource is included in the following PD Collection(s):
Teaching Measurement in Grades 3-5This collection of resources is intended to help educators develop measurement skills and understanding in mathematical and real-world contexts. The resources assist in teaching selection of unit, comparing sizes, estimating, calculating elapsed time, and measuring length, angle, area, and volume. Resource types include videos, articles, instructor guides, lessons and unit plans. More measurement resources can be found in a companion classroom collection and in a second PD collection for grades K-2.

Math TopicMeasurement, Mathematical Practices, Mathematical Processes, Other Math Topic

Grade Level3, 4, 5

Resource TypeActivity, Problem Set, Unit of Instruction, Video

Additional Information
- AudienceEducator
- LanguageEnglish (USA)
- Education Topic
- Interdisciplinary ConnectionScience, Science:Environmental science, Science:Marine science, Science:Climate:Weather, Science:Life science:Biology, Technology, Social Studies
- Professional DevelopmentNo
- ContributorNational Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) - Publisher, Tamie Dickson - Author
- Publication Date2008
- RightsCopyright (c) 2000 - 2012 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  http://illuminations.nctm.org/termsofuse.aspx
- AccessFree access
Standards
- Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
  Select a standards document:
- Standards for Mathematical Practice[K-12]
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.[K-12]
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.[K-12]
- Use appropriate tools strategically.[K-12]
- Attend to precision.[K-12]
- Measurement and Data[K - 5]
- Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects.[3]
- 1. Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes, e.g., by representing the problem on a number line diagram.[3]
- Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.[4]
- 1. Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a twocolumn table. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1, 12), (2, 24), (3, 36), ...[4]
- 2. Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.[4]
User Comments
- Average
  5
  
  If you like multi-disc themes...
  By Uncle Bob on 05/24/2012 - 11:52
- This unit employs important math activities, real problems and web resources that make this virtual plan and trip come to life.

Mathlanding is a project of Maryland Public Television in partnership with The Math Forum at Drexel University
and the International Society for Technology in Education. © 2012 Maryland Public Television

Scuba Diving in Belize

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics