Science
SCI.IV.1.2
Strand:
Standard:
Grade: 5
Using Scientific Knowledge in Physical Science
Matter and Energy - All students will measure and describe the things
around us.
Benchmark:
Explain when length, mass, weight, density, area, volume or temperature
are appropriate to describe the properties of an object or substance.
Constructing and Reflecting:
SCI.I.1.2 - Design and conduct scientific investigations.
SCI.I.1.4 - Use metric measurement devices to provide consistency in an investigation.
• Experiment with metric measurement tools to demonstrate proper usage.
Vocabulary / Key Concepts
Context
Measurement tools: Balances, spring scales,
measuring cups or graduated cylinders,
thermometers, metric ruler
Common substances such as:
• hot and cold substances,
• ice, snow, cold water,
• hot water, steam, cold air, hot air.
• Desks
• Coins
• Pencils
• Buildings
• Wood
• Plastic
• Styrofoam
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standardized units of measurement
length
metric ruler / tape
centimeter / meter / kilometer
foot / yard / mile
width
surface area
square meters
square feet
volume
cubic centimeters / milliliters
cup / quart / gallon
weight
pounds
Mass
Balance
Grams
Pounds
Temperature
Celsius
Fahrenheit
Density
Liquid = g/cm3
Solid = g/ml
Pounds/cubic foot
Knowledge and Skills
Students will use and explain the appropriate
measurements for describing the size of an
object and amount of a substance. For instance,
one wouldn’t measure a table in miles.
Resources
Coloma Resources:
Aims – balloons
How the Earth works – Readers Digest 100
secrets pgs 79, 83
• Measuring Property • Tool / (Units)
− length, width,
− metric ruler
height,area
(meters)
− volume
− graduated cylinder,
ruler, measuring cup
(cubic centimeters, milliliter)
− weight
− spring scale
(Newtons, pounds)
− mass
− balance
(grams)
--temperature
- thermometer
(Celsius, Kelvin, Fahrenheit)
Other Resources:
• MSU unit Matter and Molecules
• AIMS – Balloons
• Michigan Teachers Network Resources
• Scope Unit – Measuring Up
• Science Explosion: “Measurement oh
Measurement”, “Words & Tools of
Measurement”
• Your Weight on Other Worlds - Exploratorium
Instruction
Benchmark Question: How do we measure
matter?
Focus Question: What is the appropriate
equipment and metric units used to describe the
size and amount of a substance?
Set up workstations with the following instruments:
metric ruler, metric stick, graduated cylinder,
measuring cup (with printed measures on the
side), spring scale, balance, and thermometer.
Have students measure a variety of commonly
found solids, and liquids (water, wood block, box,
vegetable oil, rubbing alcohol, etc.). Have
students in groups discuss their results and
possible reasons for error.
Going Beyond: Challenge the students to
compare the volume and mass of an empty
balloon and one filled with carbon dioxide that is
formed when mixing vinegar and baking soda by
using a two pan balance.
Assessment
Optional Assessment:
Students will be given a variety of objects in which
they choose 6 objects to create a chart which
include estimate and actual measure of length,
volume, mass, area and temperature. In the room,
various measuring devices will be available for them
to use. Before each measurement is made,
students should estimate the measurement and
include the unit of measure. Objects could include:
different types of breakfast cereal of different
shapes, dry and “wet”: breakfast cereal, water and
different types of soda in varying quantities, different
kinds of candy, powdered and liquid laundry
detergent, classroom materials, and containers of
different sorts.
(Scoring rubric available on MI-CLiMB)
Scoring Rubric
Criteria: Correctness of units:
Apprentice - Contains two or fewer correct units.
Basic - Contains three to four correct units.
Meets - Contains five or six correct units.
Exceeds - Contains all correct units with additional
objects measured.
Criteria: Appropriateness of tool:
Apprentice - Contains two or fewer correct choices of
tools.
Basic - Contains three to four correct measurements
(+/- 2 units).
Meets - Contains five or six correct choices of tools.
Exceeds - Contains all correct choices of tools with
additional objects measured.
Criteria: Correctness of measurement:
Apprentice - Contains two or fewer correct
measurements.
Basic - Contains three to four correct choices of tools.
Meets - Contains five to six correct measurements (+/2 units).
Exceeds - All objects are measured correctly within +/- 2
units.
Teacher Notes:
Scientists describe and compare objects and substances by measuring them using standardized equipment.
Objects have size (length, area, volume), mass, weight and temperature. Substances have density (a property
that is independent of the amount of the substance). (JCISD)
Focus Questions
• How can objects be described in terms of mass, volume and temperature?
• When is it appropriate to measure the weight of an object rather than its mass, or density rather than
volume?