Metric Mania Lesson Plans
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Lesson #1 - Length
Length Presentation (PPT) - I use this presentation to review the basic units of length and how to measure distances.
Length Worksheet (pdf) - Student worksheet that goes along with the presentation.
Length Lab (pdf) - Students are challenged to find the length of various objects in millimeters, centimeters, and meters.
Units of Measure - Length (pdf) - Thanks to Christina Bryant for sharing this worksheet.
Lesson #2 - Mass
Mass Presentation (PPT) - I use this presentation to review the basic units of mass and how to measure mass using a
triple-beam balance.
Mass Worksheet (pdf) - Student worksheet that goes along with the presentation.
Mass Lab (pdf) - For the mass lab, students first estimate the mass of various objects, then find the actual mass using
triple-beam balances or other scales. To prepare for the activity you will need to organize various items (coins, paper
clips, marbles, rocks, large washers/s-hooks, etc.) and triple-beam balances or scales for each group. They may group
items together to reach a targeted mass, such as three pennies for 5 grams, or just use a single item. This lab is always a
hit and the students get much needed estimation practice.
NOTE: Estimates should be checked before any measuring is allowed! Some students will skip the estimation step and
advance to using the scales!
Extension Ideas: Use film canisters, a triple-beam balance, and a variety of materials to create a set of masses. The
students may use the masses during lab activities or challenge them to take them home and find items with like masses.
Another twist is to fill pairs of canisters with various objects (pennies, popcorn, seeds, screws, washers, M&Ms). Give
each student one canister and allow time for them to search for their "partner" - without looking into the canister. Once
the groups have found their match, the students can check their results by opening the canisters.
Lesson #3 - Volume
Volume Presentation (PPT) - I use this presentation to review the basic units of volume and how to measure volume of
regular and irregular objects.
Volume Worksheet (pdf) - Student worksheet that goes along with the presentation.
Volume Lab (pdf) - This lab consists of measuring the volume of liquids and regular solids as well as using graduated
cylinders and overflow cans to find the volume of irregular objects (rocks).
Lesson #4 - Density
BrainPop Measuring Matter Video - Students watch the BrainPop movie and complete the activity sheets - regular and
advanced.
Mystery Canisters (pdf) - The density lab, known as Mystery Canisters, challenges students to modify three film
canisters so that they have one that floats, one that sinks, and one that will remain suspended in the tub of tap water.
Materials needed for the lab are: plastic tub of water (or the bottom half of a 2-liter soda bottle), three film canisters
(free from Walmart, KMart, etc.), and an assortment of small objects (pennies, paperclips, marbles, etc.) for mass.
Students will also need equipment to help them measure mass (triple-beam balance) and volume (graduated cylinders
and overflow cans.)
Students are allowed a few minutes to create the three canisters that will (1) float, (2) sink, and (3) remain suspended.
Students may have difficulty getting one of the cansisters perfectly suspended. If the students can get the canister to
suspend with less than half of the lid above the surface, they should get numbers that result in a density close to 1.0
g/ml. Once the students have their canisters approved, they find the mass and volume of the canisters and calculate
each density. They should notice that the floating vial has a density less than 1 g/ml, the sinking vial has a density
greater than 1 g/ml, and the suspended vial has a density close to 1 g/ml.
Also try ...
Density Demo from MiddleSchoolScience.com to investigate the density of Coke and Diet Coke!
Reinforce the lesson with a density column (pdf) from the TerrificScience.org website.
Review Materials
Metric Mania Survey (pdf) - This worksheet is used at the end of the unit to review the material we have studied.
Metric Challenge Puzzle (pdf) - Students review key terms from the metric system to discover the answer to a joke. An
answer key is provided.
Conversion Practice
Lesson #1 - English/Metric Conversions
English/Metric Conversion Presentation
English/Metric Conversions (pdf) - An answer key has been provided.
Lesson #2 - Metric Conversions - Ladder Method
Metric Conversions Presentation
Metric Conversions (pdf) - Includes two worksheets and answer keys.
Meters, Liters, & Grams (PDF)
The second lesson focuses on using a "metric ladder" to calculate conversions within the metric system. In the
beginning the lesson is focused on counting the number of "jumps" it takes to move from one metric unit to
another. The "jumps" determine the number of times the decimal is moved and in which direction. I remind
students to count the number of jumps it would take to move from one unit to another, such as moving from
meters to millimeters, rather than counting the number of boxes. To convert from meters to millimeters, it
would take 3 jumps to the right which would mean the decimal would need to move 3 jumps to the right. As
they learn the process and understand the value of the metric prefixes, I introduce using multiplication and
division by 10, 100, and 1000 to accomplish the same conversion. They quickly learn the relationships
between metric units, such as 1000 milliliters in 1 liter.
Want a great way to help the students remember the order for the metric prefixes?
"Kids Have Dropped OVER Dead Converting Metrics."
The first letter of each word refers to one of the metric prefixes (kilo, hecto, etc.) and the "over" refers to
the basic unit (meters, liters, or grams).
Another mnemonic
"King Henry Does Drink Chocolate Milk"
Conversion Review - Metric Mania Scavenger Hunt Game
Challenge your students to a scavenger hunt with metric conversion problems! Hide 60 game cards with metric
conversion problems in your room. Some of the cards are easy to see, while others are hidden under science tables,
chairs, the garbage can, behind a curtain or poster, or other places that are easy to search. The kids work in teams to
find the cards and solve the problems. Teams can only work on one card a time and must have the answer correct
before they can start looking for another card. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins a special
reward - extra credit points or a piece of candy! Since you may have more than one science class each day, allow the
kids to "hide" the game cards for the next class.
Game Cards - Front of cards (pdf) and Back of cards (pdf) - Print the "Metric Mania" (front of cards) on colored paper
or cover stock, then print the problems on the back. I laminated my set so the cards can be used more than once and
hold up to repeated use by junior high students.
Metric Mania Scavenger Hunt Game Student Worksheet (pdf) - Provides directions, game rules, and an area for
students to write the answers.
Metric Mania Scavenger Hunt Answer Key (pdf) - An answer key for the problems on the cards. I cross off the
numbers as the kids solve the problems so I can keep track of the number of cards that are still hidden.
Metric Victims Game.
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Metric System Lesson Plan Links & Online Resources