Unit 9, Lesson 11
Using a Trundle Wheel to Measure Distances (Optional)
Grade 7
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
In this optional lesson, students use their trundle wheels to re-measure the distance they measured previously. By returning to the earlier problem with new tools, students make sense of and persevere in solving the problem (MP1). After students have had experience using their trundle wheels, they can connect their observations of how the wheel works with the distance computations and discuss the sources of errors in a more meaningful way. Students compare their previous measurements with their new measurements using the trundle wheel. This comparison allows them to refine their model by reconciling how to report the different measurements from each way of measuring (MP4).
- Calculate the distance of a path using the circumference and number of rotations of a trundle wheel.
- Compare measurement calculations and express differences between measurements as a percentage.
- Critique (orally) methods for measuring a long distance.
Let’s use our trundle wheels.
Required Materials
Activity 1
Required Preparation
Prepare to distribute the trundle wheels students built in the previous lesson. Make sure students can still get to the path (between 50 and 100 meters) that they measured the other day.
For the digital version of the activity, acquire devices that can run the applet.