Take Action: Ruler of the world

Preparation: This activity requires some preparation from the teacher. The teacher will need to pre-measure items from around the classroom for students to measure. Items you might choose around the classroom: tables, textbooks, pens, paper, schoolbag, diary etc. If you want to select objects that aren’t within reach of every student (such as a door or window) and you don’t want a rush of students stampeding to measure them, draw a diagram on the board instead, write in the measurements, then ask the students to calculate the perimeter or area.

Movement and maths: This activity requires students to move around the classroom: "Movement gives learning experiences something fresh and new, which the brain likes. This novelty helps keep the attention of the students, making their learning efficient." By adding movement to a maths example or strategy, "students can involve themselves with the learning in a more concrete way. The brain also likes repetition and practice, which forms and strengthens neural pathways in the brain, which helps concepts move more quickly from short-term to long-term memory." The key to using movement in the classroom is consistency; do a little bit every day. To find out more, click here.

Step 1.

Explain to students that knowing how to measure is essential. If you have to divide a chocolate bar between you and your brother, you need to know whether he has cut it precisely in half. To do this, you can use a ruler.

You can use a ruler to measure much more than a chocolate bar, though.

Today we are going to play a game called ‘Ruler of the World’. But first, let’s watch this video so we remember how to calculate the area and perimeter of an object.

Step 2.

Share the following video with students (note: the measurements are in feet, but the principles are the same):

How to Find Area and Perimeter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSVMrPu0__U)

Once complete, take a moment to check your students’ understanding of the concepts presented in the video.

Step 3.

Explain to students the rules of the game:

The rules of the game are simple. I’m going to call out an object and whether I want you to calculate either the length, the area or the perimeter. You take your ruler and measure that item, and whoever is first to call out the answer wins that round.
So to recap:
- If I say length: measure the longest side of the object.
- If I say perimeter: measure the sides and add them together.
- If I say area: measure the length and width and multiply them.

Step 4.

Play the game! Everyone grab your rulers!

Bonus activity:

Write up on the board a selection of lengths, perimeters and areas. (5cm, 1m, 8cm², 50cm etc). Ask the students to copy the numbers onto a piece of paper, then send them off with their rulers and pencils around the classroom (or outside) to find objects that match the answers. The first person to hand in their sheet wins a prize.

Meaningful Moments: 'Ruler of the World' Game

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