Using
Time to Estimate Distance
Materials: stopwatches,
measuring tapes or trundle wheels
Arrange students
in small groups with trundle wheels and stopwatches. Outside or inside
a gymnasium or hall, have students measure for each group member:
-
how far he/she can
walk at a normal pace for 2 min
-
how long it takes
them to walk 100m at a normal pace
Encourage students
to be creative in mapping out routes that are 100m. Have the students
use these measures to help answer questions like the following for each
group member:
-
If you could continue
at the same pace, about how far could you walk in half an hour? an hour?
-
How long do you
think it would take you to walk about 1km? 2km? 5km? 10km?
-
What factors might
affect your actual results?
Have groups of students
-
use the information
to establish a walking speed using km/h
-
calculate group
averages for the distance walked in 2 minutes and the time taken to walk
100m
-
answer the questions
again using the group averages
Students can
-
test their estimates
for walking a kilometer by walking a pre measured 1 km distance outside
-
repeat the activity
altering their pace to a brisk walk or a jog
To extend:
-
Students could research
the lengths of hiking trails such as the Cabot Trail, the Bruce Trail,
the West Coast Trail, and local trails. They can estimate how long
it might take them to walk the length of the trail. If a map is available,
they can plan a hike, taking into account rest stops and overnight camping
stops.
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to Literature Relative to Time