Grade 03 Science - EC: S3.A.2.2.1

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

S3.A.2.2.1 S3.A.2.2.1

Identify appropriate tools or instruments for specific tasks, and describe the information they provide (i.e., measuring [length—ruler; mass— balance scale] and making observations [hand lenses—very small objects]).

Activities

Define measure.
Identify two different tools you can use to measure.

Compare and contrast a yard stick and a mass-balance scale.
Dave wants to figure out the height of his book. Matt wants to figure out the weight of the same book. Compare the tools they will use, and explain why they used those tools.

Sue says it is important to use tools to measure objects. Pete says that you can just use your best judgement. Develop a logical argument as to why you should use tools while measuring.
How can you use measurement tools to differentiate different rocks?

Answer Key/Rubric

Measure is defined as finding the size, length, or amount of something.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Rulers, yardsticks, measuring cups, scales, etc.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

A yardstick and a mass-balance scale are similar because they both are measurement tools.

They are different because of what they measure

Yardstick measures length

Mass-balance scale measures weight.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Dave would use a ruler

A ruler is used to measure length.

Matt would use a mass-balance scale

Mass-balance scale is used to measure weight.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Sue is right because tools are important.

When we use our best judgment, we might not come up with best answer.

Tools make sure we have the right answer every time.

Tools give a more accurate answer

Using your best judgment is an estimate

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

You can use a magnifying glass to look at the different particles rocks are made of.

You can use a scale to measure the weight of the rock.

You can use a ruler to measure the length of the rock.