Our Fourth-Graders kicked off their day by wrapping up their metrics unit in math by holding the Metric Olympics. The students had to convert all their measurements in the following competitions.Â
To measure distance, the athletes competed in the javelin, discus, and shot put. The athletes, judges, and all spectators remained safe with the use of a straw as the javelin, a paper plate for the discus, and a cotton ball took the place of the shot put. Each athlete also demonstrated their unique techniques for each of the competitions. Some used the discus face up, some used it face down. We even caught a few trying to bounce the discus off the floor to further their distance.
The athletes also demonstrated their hand strength. The equipment consisted of a beaker, sponge, and water. First, the athletes warmed up their hands and then proceeded to squeeze as much water as they could from the sponge into the beaker.Â
The final competition was in weight. Each athlete stretched their hands as big as they could to pick up marbles. They then placed the marbles onto a kitchen scale, to discover the weight of their capture.
This lesson reinforced the metric unit with collaborative learning, teamwork, math conversion, averaging, along with fine and gross with motor skill and sportsmanship. Â