Based on a Math Fair Activity by Susan Boates, Alana Hayman, Lise LeBlanc, Pam Mont & Adam Trider
1. String marked off in decimeters or measuring tapes
2. Spreadsheet (optional, but very useful)
3. Graph paper (if no spreadsheet)
Grade 4: F1 F4 F6 F8
Grade 5: F3 F4 F7
Grade 6: F1 F2 F6 F7 F9
1. Using the string or a measuring device, students help each other measure
their height, their foot length, their arm span, their forearm length, their
hand span, the circumference of their head, the circumference of their wrist,
and any other parts they have time for.
2. Do the students notice anything interesting in their measurements? The height and arm span should be
approximately the same measurement as well as their foot length and forearm
length.
3. Raise the question of whether they believe there will be other
relationships in the measurements. Discuss as a class and have them make
predictions.
4. Input the measurements for each person into a spreadsheet, or list the
measurements on paper and make copies for everyone.
5.
a. Spreadsheet version: Make
scatter graphs of each pair of data sets (e.g., height vs. foot length). Print them out. (If there are enough computers this can be done by students; if
not, do one in class and the rest after school.)
b. Graph paper version: using the data sets assign each person a pair of
body parts. Have them make a scatter
graph for their data (e.g., height vs. foot length).
6. Display or distribute copies of all the scatter graphs. Discuss whether the students’ predictions
were accurate. What would they predict
about a 5 metre tall person based on their data?