In our current unit on the penguins, our first grade mathematicians are exploring measuring and number sense through a variety of hands-on work-places and activities. Here are some pictures to help you see how we can learn about measuring when we study penguins. Today, for example, we studied the Gentoo Penguin. We learned that this particular penguin is 30 inches tall. The students measured out 30 inches with yarn, cut it and held it up against themselves to see how tall the Gentoo penguin is. They were also encouraged to find other object in our classroom that are 30 inches as well. We discovered that our desks and shelves are 30 inches high. Last week, we studied the Little Blue penguin. This penguin is shorter. It is only 16 inches tall. We can compare heights and discuss how much taller, and how much shorter one penguin is from another. Great math thinking is taking place while the students also learn to "get a feel" for how long 16 inches is, and how long 30 inches is.
Here is a challenge question for all mathematicians. If you know the answer please comment on this post, email me the answer, or tell me in the classroom when I see you next:
If the Rockhopper penguin is 18 inches tall, and the King Penguin is 3 feet tall, how much taller is the King Penguin?
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