You may save this lesson plan to your hard drive as an html file by selecting
"File", then "Save As" from your browser's pull down menu. The file name extension
must be .html.
Total Duration:
61 to 90 Minutes
Materials and Resources:
Standard/metric rulers, cut pieces of yarn, scissors, yard/meter sticks, data recording sheets for each student (see attachment), recipe and ingredients for "Dirt Pie" (see attachment), the book Inch By Inch, by Leo Lionni
Technology Resources Needed:
Background/Preparation:
I used a stuffed inchworm mascot sitting on the table as I read the book, Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni. I also had bookworm name plates and stickers for good workers. Research information on the inchworm or find an inchworm for students to observe.
1.)Read the book Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni. This book is the tale of a friendly inchworm who is in danger of being eaten by several birds. He cleverly inches his way to safety by measuring two tails, a neck, a beak, a pair of legs, a whole bird, and finally -a song. Mention that the book is beautifully illustrated in crayon and textured collage.
2.)Discuss with students the two systems of measurement, standard and metric. Students will probably be familiar with an inch as a standard unit of measurement. Compare inches to centimeters, yards to meters. Go over with the students the directions of measuring activity, including the data recording handout.
3.)Pass out data recording handouts (see attached), scissors, rulers/meter sticks and balls of string. Children may work with partners, if desired.
4.)Circulate and help children as they measure their own neck, head, hand, arm and foot.
5.)Students will record their data as they measure.
6.)As they finish this activity, the teacher will provide a copy of "One Inch Tall" by Shel Silverstein for choral reading. (Click here for the words to the poem)
7.)As a culminating activity, children will make accordian books (use a round shape cut from green tagboard or butcher paper and draw a face on the front page with a felt pen) and write about an inchworm or what it would be like to be only one inch tall.
8.)Children will end the lesson by following a recipe (see attachment) to make "dirt pie" with gummy inchworms on top.
Attachments: **Some files will display in a new window. Others will prompt you to download.
Teacher observation, oral questions, measurement data sheets, evaluation of stories written
Acceleration:
Bring an inchworm to class. Watch it measure things. (An inchworm is the caterpillar lava of a geometrid moth.) Find out more about inchworms. How do they move? Share research in class. Make a list of things that can and cannot be measured, including things in the classroom that can be measured. Talk about other things that cannot be measured - air, dreams, etc. Discuss how accurate measuring with your feet can be. Make small inchworm from a long piece of green construction paper. Mark it in inches and measure things on students' desks.
Intervention:
View the Special Education resources for
instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations
for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.