Title: Mapping the Bone Field: An Area and Scale Exercise

Author: Kathy Kruthoff, Washington Elementary, Stevens Point, WI

Grades: 3-6

Overview of Lesson:
Students relate multiplication to area by making a grid on graph paper and then creating the same grid in real space outside in the school yard. This activity models mapping done by paleontologists and archaeologists

Suggested Time: two 45-minute sessions

Students' Prior Knowledge:
Students need to know that rectangles come in a variety of shapes, including squares. They should also know the terms length and width. Some knowledge of multiplication might be helpful. The lesson Hide and Seek with Bones: A Mapping and Scaling Comparison develops the connection between mapping and scale.

Background Information:
Paleontologists need to know more than just "science" information. To be successful in getting their information, remembering and recording it, they use many skills learned from math, social studies, and language arts. Here is a math lesson that will help them to do a better job of mapping their site's information to share with others. (This lesson should be used before the lesson Hide and Seek with Bones: A Mapping and Scaling Comparison.)

Student Activity:
Have students draw a variety of rectangular shapes in a grid paper. Measure the length and width and record on sheet. Use 1 inch square pieces to cover the interior of each rectangle. Use this as a basis for discussing the concept of area. Through discussion have students determine that area = length x width.

Have students draw a 3 in x 3 in rectangle on a second sheet. Discuss this as area in real space. Have them mark the intersecting lines with a red dot. Then have them fill in the space with nine 1-inch tiles.

Have students go outside to a school yard site and work in small groups. Using yard sticks, have them create a 3 ft x 3 ft grid, using the 3 inch square grid as a model. Mark intersecting lines with craft sticks (where the red dots are on the diagram) to help with accuracy. Now have the students place the nine 1 square foot tiles on their ground grids. Discuss the concepts of area and scale.

Teacher Notes:
Craft sticks can be purchased at a hobby store. The outside portion of this activity would work better if a classroom aide is helping so the teacher can assess the success of the different groups. Depending on the ability of the group, string or cord could be used to create the grid lines outside.

Vocabulary: length, width, area, perimeter, intersecting, scale, rectangle, square

Interdisciplinary Connections:
Math: Use of measurement, multiplication, area and perimeter and coordinates on a grid.
Social Studies: Use of maps, scale and regional studies.

Extension Activities:
*have students draw a variety of shapes on their grids and then duplicate them outside.
*determine areas and perimeters of shapes on the two different scales.
* use 3 ft x 3 ft grid for mapping an imaginary archeology or paleontology site.
See Hide and Seek with Bones: A Mapping and Scaling Comparison for a description of that activity.

Wisconsin State Science Standards:
C.4.4
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/standards/scic4.html
Use simple science equipment including rulersä safely and effectively to collect data relevant to questions and investigations

Wisconsin State Math Standards:
A.4.3
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/standards/matha4.html
Connect mathematical learning with other subjects, personal experiences, current events, and personal interests: use math in a way to understand the other areas of the curriculum (e.g., measurement in science, map skills in social studies)

D.4.5
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/standards/mathd4.html
Determine measurements by using basic relationships (such as perimeter and area) and approximate measurements by using estimation techniques.