Last updated: March 14, 2018
Lesson Plan
How Big is the Statue of Liberty?
- Grade Level:
- Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Subject:
- Math,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
Objective
Students will use their bodies as measuring tools to determine the size of the Statue of Liberty.
Background
Knowing the approximate sizes of some of the Statue of Liberty's features would make it easier to relate to the kids measurements.
Preparation
Teachers should have a copy of the dimensions of the Statue of Liberty to use a reference. Materials needed will be: yardsticks, tape measures, recording sheet, and pencils.
Materials
How Big is the Statue of Liberty Lesson Plan
Download How Big is the Statue of Liberty
Lesson Hook/Preview
Ask students to name different parts of the Statue of Liberty. Encourage them to think about details, i.e. nose, eyes, fingers etc. Record their responses.
Explain to students that today they will be using their bodies as tools to measure the different parts that make up the Statue of Liberty.
Procedure
1. Ask students to name different parts of the Statue of Liberty. Encourage them to think about details, i.e. nose, eyes, fingers etc. Record their responses.
2. Explain to students that today they will be using their bodies as tools to measure the different parts that make up the Statue of Liberty.
3. Model with a student how to measure and record their height.
4. Split students into small groups or partnerships, depending on how many yardsticks or tape measures you have on hand, and invite them to measure and record each other.
5. Once all of the students have been measured, help them convert their height from inches to feet.
6. Ask students to make educated guesses about how many students make up parts of the statue. For example, how many students might equal the length of her finger? Record their ideas.
7. As a class, go through the measurements of the statue and compare them to the students’ measurements. To make the discussion more relevant to younger children, call up some of the students have them lie on the floor with one child’s feet almost touching the other child’s head to form a long line.
Vocabulary
Size- how big something is.
Compare- estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between.
Length- the measurement or extent of something from end to end.
Width- the measurement or extent of something from side to side.
Cranium- the skull, especially the part enclosing the brain.
Tablet- a flat slab of stone, clay, or wood, used especially for an inscription.