Today, we are going to put your estimation skills to the test! This isn't the first time you estimated the amount of something. In the beginning of the year, we took a poll on the amount you thought was in this jar filled with jelly beans!

Ahoy Matey! You have just found out that there are some very special valuables in this classroom and you must go on a measurement hunt in order to find the correct items! Your pirate skills will come in handy in your search for booty, but first, you must know how to measure! You will be given a piece of yarn to help you measure in order to find something shorter, longer, and equal in size. Yo ho ho, will you be able to find the hidden treasure or will you be forced to walk the plank?

How can you measure length with and without a ruler?

You have already learned how to measure with a starting line. Remember that you cannot compare the length of 2 or more objects without placing them on starting line. Just as two runners in a race must start at a starting line to have a fair chance, so too must you use a starting line to give each item a fair chance. Now that you know how to measure you will use your skills to find 3 objects in the classroom: one must be SHORTER than your piece of yarn, one must be LONGER than your piece of yarn, and one must be EQUAL size in length to your piece of yarn. You will measure and compare the 3 items using your piece of yarn. At the end you will draw your 3 items on a worksheet and answer the following questions:

What strategy did you use on your hunt?

Did you measure everything in sight?

For this activity, you will need the following materials:
-A box of paperclips
-A shoe (your own)
-Book (math book)
-Stapler (on my desk)
-Pencil

1. Play this game at, http://www.funbrain.com/measure/index.html. Start on the easy level and work your way up!
2. Sign into brainpopjr.
3. Go to the math page and select "measurement."
4. Click on the movie, "inches and feet."
5. Watch the video.
6. After you are finished watching the video, click on the "activity" below the movie.
7. Complete the activity and print your results! :).

Now, me hearty, you must follow the steps below to help you on your measurement hunt. Remember the classroom rules, because nobody wants to be a scallywag!

1. Grab a piece of yarn from your teacher.
2. Use a straw if needed to help with measuring using a starting line.
3. Search around the room for something SHORTER than your string.
4. Search around the room for something LONGER than your string.
5. Search around the room for something EQUAL in length to your string.
6. Gather your 3 items and draw each item in the appropriate box on the following worksheet (attach).
7. Answer the following questions on your worksheet:

What strategy did you use on your hunt?

Did you measure everything in sight? Explain.

8. Put all the items exactly where they were before you grabbed them.
9. Discuss with a partner your findings and the answer to your questions.
10. Turn in your worksheet to your teacher.

I will be evaluating you on your written work on your worksheet and how well your team worked together and shared responsibilities. Have fun!

Number values of rubric for evaluation
1. Beginner
2. Developing
3. Accomplished
Vocabulary:
1. Student lacks vocabulary for comparative language. Teacher observes no/ minimally use of comparative language.
2. Student uses some comparative language in some cases. Teacher observes some use of comparative language.
3. Student uses comparative language. Teacher observes excellent vocabulary to explore length.
Skills:
1. Student is observed measuring every item in sight. There is no apparent skill for estimation or measurement.
2. Student is observed estimating in some cases. There appears to be a pattern in skills for measuring and estimating.
3. Student is observed carefully analyzing the room before measuring everything in sight. Measurement skills are excellent.
Content:
1. Drawings are not relevant to the task. It appears that drawings are random.
2. Student draws 2 out of 3 items that are correctly measured.
3. All drawings have been correctly measured and are in the correct spot.
Explanation:
1. No explanation/ irrelevant answers.
2. Explanation lacks depth; student is developing an understanding of measurement.
3. Explanations are clear and depict a complete understanding of measurement.

Take out your math journals and answer the following questions or complete the following statements:
1. I wish I knew more about...
2. The webquest taught me more about...
3. I wish the webquest had more about...
4. What didn't you understand about the lesson in the webquest?

Congratulations MATEY! You have successfully completed this task. It looks as though you won't be walking the plank today! Shiver me timbers you are a measuring expert! You have learned how to use a piece of string to measure items on your measurement hunt. You were able to compare your items according to length and now you have the skills to measure with a ruler!