Lesson Activity Plan Template
Title of Activity:
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander
Grade Level:
4-6
Mathematics Concept Standards:
MEA4/5B: Choose an appropriate unit of measurement to estimate and measure length,
weight or temperature.
PS4/5C: Communicate mathematical thinking through concrete, pictorial, and or
symbolic representation.
PS4/5D: Draw logical conclusions about mathematical situation or justify answers in
mathematical strategies as reasonable.
GEO6B: Identify the radius and diameter of a circle.
Learning Objectives:
The student will describe the variety of properties of shapes from the story.
The student will measure the circumference, diameter and radius of the different
circular lids.
The students will create a table for the data and investigate any relationships they find
among the numbers.
As a class the students will look at the relationship between the measurements of
circumference and diameter and diameter and radius. The students then will create an
estimation statement like: the circumference is about 3 times the diameter and the
radius is half of the diameter.
The students will measure the diameter of different lids and estimate the circumference
and radius.
After practicing estimation, students will be introduced to the formula 3.14.
Math and Literature Connection:
Using the book Sir Cumference and the First Round Table the teacher will read aloud
the book stopping at various parts to diagram and explain the changes taking place to
each shape. The class will describe each new shape by its properties.
Learn the Content:
In a whole group the teacher will read the book and stop each time the table is to be
cut. The teacher will create that shape with paper cut outs or draw it on the board.
Students will pair up to discuss the new properties of that shape. The teacher will list
responses of the whole group next to the new table shape on the board. After reading
page 24 stop, introduce the new term circumference and discuss the meaning. Show
students how to measure the circumference of an object using centimeters.
Reinforce the Content Learning:
Then send students back to their tables to measure the circumference of different size
lids with a partner. Students will record the information in a table. As students are
measuring the circumference walk around to reinforce the use of the new term
circumference and how to measure accurately with a measuring tape. Students meet
back as a group to compare and record circumference of each lid. Have students predict
if the knights will be satisfied with the new table and then finish reading the story.
Introduce the new terms radius and diameter and make the connection between the
characters Lady Di and Radius. Have students now go back and measure the diameter
and radius of each lid and record the data.
Consolidate the Learning:
As teams finish have them record measurements on the class chart. Have students
write down in their math journals any patterns they see with measurements. Bring the
group back together and discuss the relationships they found. Have the students create
an estimation statement like: the circumference is about 3 times the diameter and the
radius is half of the diameter.
Implement the Content:
Give the students a worksheet with different circle sizes and have them find the radius,
diameter and circumference. Then introduce the formula 3.14 and have students go back
and calculate the circumference to get an exact answer.
Variation/Extension Activities:
Taken from 5th grade Expressions Unit 4 Lesson 7 Challenge Activity
Polygons and Circles
Trace a circle 3 times onto a piece of paper. Place 3 equally spaced dots around one of
the circles and connect them with lines. Repeat using 4 dots on the second circle and
five on the third circle. Identify the polygon inside each circle, then measure the
perimeter of each polygon. How does the perimeter of the polygon compare to the
circumference of the circle as the number of dots increase?
Read the other books by Cindy Neuschwander
Web Resources:
Finding the circumference of a circle
www.factmonster.com/math/knowledgebox
Lesson Plan Created By:
Jana DePriest
Lesson Related References:
Math Expressions, Dr Karen Fuson; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander