STATIONS WRAP-UP EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Station 1 Tile Talk
Students will use manipulatives, a calculator, and the worksheet provided
to figure how many tiles of differing sizes it would take to fill a square
foot. Then, students will project that amount to a floor of 100 square feet.
Students will compute how much the entire tiling job would cost with each
tile.
Station 2 Unlock A Block
Students will use lock-blocks to figure surface area, filling in a worksheet
specifying the number of blocks. Students will predict the surface area of
added blocks and check their predictions. They will explore different arrangements
of the cubes to see if surface area changes. They will also look for patterns
in the totals and try to arrive at a formula.
Station 3 Brick It!
Students will arrange various sizes of brick templates on a specified paper
to create a repeating pattern. They will construct a sample and figure the
cost of the sample using predetermined prices. Then, they will project the
cost to a wall or walkway much larger, using knowledge of measurement. They
may use color or design to enhance the sample.
Station 4 Paint the Town
Students will decide how they would measure a room for painting. They will
determine the five most important steps and plan a “How To” guide
using digital photographs. Students will take five photographs, with each
group member operating the camera at least once and being the subject of at
least one picture. Members will use a planning sheet to format photographs.
Students will use measuring tapes to measure and figure the surface area of
the room walls and ceiling. They will also figure the paint needed.
Station 5 PowerPoint
(A group cannot start at this station, having not completed Station 4)
Students will insert digital photographs from station 4 into a PowerPoint
presentation, “How to Measure a Room for Painting.” At least five
slides will cover the major steps to measure a room. Photographs will be explained
with captions and steps in the process. Students may insert clip art, sound,
and animation to slide show if desired.
Station 6 Inspiration
Students will create a graphic organizer about surface area. They will determine
real-life situations in which surface area is computed (fertilizer coverage,
dress patterns, marking sports areas, etc.). Students can use visual graphics,
color, or photographs. If available, Inspiration product will be printed for
display.
Station A Geometric Shapes and Area
Students will choose, cut out, and measure a three-dimensional paper shape,
using a given format. They will fill out a card identifying the shape and
the estimated surface area, tracing sides on graph paper. Students will develop
or use previous knowledge to determine formulas for surface area.
WRAP-UP
When students have completed all stations, wrap up the lesson with a discussion
of surface area. Have students show presentations and products and post brick
samples and geometric shape cards. Teacher may even judge a contest, choosing
the most pleasing, cost effective brick pattern.
Discuss how surface area is part of everyday life.
Discuss how much paint was needed for the room.
Decide on any extension activities to follow.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Research the price of paint at local stores. Figure the best deal and the
total for painting the room.
Collect examples of how surface area measurement is used in life. Make a poster.
Create a collage of pictures in magazines that involve surface area.
Predict the surface area of the human body. Look the answer up.
If each student gets to “claim” three square feet of the classroom,
how many students could own it?
Predict how many square feet on a basketball court, football field, or in
a gym. Use
dimensions from encyclopedia to start.
Estimate the area of a textbook in square inches or centimeters. Then, measure
to figure the answer.
Discuss how we could find surface area of a basketball. Research.
Look at the areas of states. Put states in order from smallest to largest
or vice-versa.
Estimate the surface area of a desk. Figure as nearly as possible.
“What has greater surface area?” game. Students bring in objects
to compare and
measure.
Make a chart of formulas for figuring the surface area of geometric shapes.
Figure how much material it would take to cover one wall of the classroom.
Figure how much carpet it would take to cover two classrooms. Research and
compute
the cost.
Figure how much fertilizer it would take to cover a lawn of certain proportions.
Research
and compute cost.
Research how cartographers mapped and figured surface area of land.
Research who developed mathematical formulas to find area.
