Lesson Plan | Active Learning | International System

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is essential to direct the focus of students and the teacher to the most critical aspects of the International System of Units. By clearly establishing what is expected for students to learn, this section prepares the ground for a more in-depth discussion and practical activities, ensuring that everyone involved is aligned with the desired learning outcomes.

Main Objectives:

1. Recognize and describe the International System of Units (SI), its origins and importance.

2. Identify and correctly use the main units of measurement in the International System: second, meter, and kilogram.

3. Apply conversion techniques between units of the International System and units of the English system when necessary.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage critical thinking by relating measurement units to practical applications of everyday life.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students and review pre-studied concepts, using problem situations to stimulate critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge about the International System of Units. Furthermore, the contextualization aims to connect the content with the real world, increasing student interest and relevance of the topic.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that an explorer needs to determine the distance he traveled in an underground cave. He only has a stopwatch, a measuring tape, and a scale. How could he use these tools to measure the distance traveled in meters?

2. Suppose a chef is following an international recipe that calls for measurements in grams, but he only has a set of cups and spoons available. How could he calculate the correct amount in grams for the ingredients?

Contextualization

The International System of Units is crucial not only in academic contexts but also in daily life. For example, the accuracy of medicine dosages, construction safety, and even vehicle speed verification depend on the correct use of measurement units. Additionally, curiosities such as the definition of a meter being based on the speed of light or the redefinition of the kilogram in 2019 using natural constants highlight the relevance and continuous evolution of this system.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to immerse students in practical and playful situations that require the application of the studied concepts about the International System of Units. By working in groups, students can discuss and apply knowledge collaboratively, helping to solidify understanding and retention of content. Each proposed activity is designed to be engaging and relevant, promoting active and contextualized learning.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Metric Expedition

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the concepts of measurement from the International System in a practical and collaborative scenario, reinforcing the understanding of measurement units.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people and will simulate an archaeological expedition. They will receive a map of an unknown terrain, where different areas must be measured precisely. Each group will have measuring tapes, stopwatches, and portable scales available. The objective is to measure the total area of the terrain, the distance traveled, and the weight of collected artifacts.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute a map of the terrain to each group, with specific areas to be measured.

• Each group must use the available measuring tools to determine the area, distance, and weight of the objects.

• Students must record their measurements and calculations on a provided spreadsheet.

• At the end, each group will present their results and discuss the challenges encountered during the activity.

Activity 2 - International Kitchen

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop conversion skills between units from the International System and practical daily use units, promoting an understanding of measurement scales.

- Description: In this activity, students will explore how measurements from the International System are used in cooking. Each group will receive an international recipe that uses grams and milliliters. However, the utensils available in the school's kitchen are only cups and spoons. Students will have to convert the measurements in the recipe to cups and spoons using a provided equivalence list and prepare a small snack.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Give each group an international recipe with measurements in grams and milliliters.

• Provide a list of conversions from grams and milliliters to cups and spoons.

• Students will convert the measurements and prepare the snack following the recipe instructions.

• Each group will present their snack and discuss the conversions made.

Activity 3 - Metric Fashion Show

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the application of measurement units from the International System in a creative context, promoting understanding and the ability to convert between different scales.

- Description: Students will create a fashion show where they must use their conversion skills from the International System to add a creative and educational touch. Each group will receive fabrics and accessories that must be converted from meters to centimeters and from grams to kilograms to create costumes, which will be presented in a fashion show in the classroom.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide each group with materials such as fabrics, accessories, and sewing tools.

• Each group must convert the measurements of materials from meters to centimeters and from grams to kilograms.

• Students will use the materials to create costumes that will be presented in a fashion show.

• At the end, each group will explain the conversions made and the measurement units used.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback stage aims to consolidate the learning obtained through practical activities, allowing students to articulate what they learned and how to apply this knowledge in real contexts. The group discussion, in addition to reinforcing understanding of the concepts of the International System of Units, also promotes communication and critical thinking skills.

Group Discussion

At the end of the practical activities, organize a large group discussion with all students. Start the discussion with a brief introduction, highlighting the importance of teamwork and the application of the concepts of the International System of Units in real and playful scenarios. Then, give the floor to the groups to share their experiences, discoveries, and challenges faced during the activities. Encourage students to reflect on how the studied concepts can be applied in everyday situations.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges when applying conversions of units from the International System to solve the proposed problems?

2. How did today's activities help to consolidate understanding of the International System of Units?

3. Is there any everyday situation that you realize you could solve more easily now with the knowledge gained about the SI?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion serves to solidify students' learning, making a clear connection between the theoretical content studied and the practices carried out in the classroom. This moment reinforces the importance of the International System of Units, not just as a set of academic concepts, but as a practical tool essential for various everyday applications. Additionally, the recap helps ensure that students have assimilated the key points of the lesson.

Summary

At this final moment of the class, it is essential to recap the main concepts addressed about the International System of Units (SI), highlighting the fundamental measurement units such as the second, meter, and kilogram, and the conversion skills between these and other units. Through the practical activities, students were able to apply these concepts in real and playful scenarios, reinforcing their understanding and the importance of the SI.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to connect theory and practice in an integrated manner. Through real-life problems and playful contexts, students were able to see the direct application of what they studied about the SI in everyday situations, such as cooking, measuring land, and even in fashion. This practical approach not only facilitates students' understanding but also demonstrates the utility and universality of the SI.

Closing

Finally, it is important to highlight the relevance of the International System of Units for everyday life. Whether in the kitchen, engineering, medicine, or any other field, the correct use of measurement units is crucial to ensure precision and safety in daily activities. Understanding and knowing how to apply the SI is therefore an essential skill for anyone wishing to be scientifically and technically literate in the contemporary world.