standard_description: Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of an Estimation Exploration is to practice the skill of estimating a reasonable answer based on experience and known information. In the synthesis, discuss what students know about Estimation Explorations and what they need to think about to create one like this example.
Launch
Groups of 2
Display the image.
“What is an estimate that’s too high? Too low? About right?”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
“Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
1 minute: partner discussion
Record responses.
Student Facing
What is the length of this earthworm?
[IMG]
Record an estimate that is:
|                    too low                     |                  about right                   |                    too high                    |
|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) | \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) | \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) |
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“What do you know about Estimation Explorations?” (It's not about finding the exact answer. We make an estimate that is too low, too high, and about right. The estimate could be the value of an expression, the number of items in an image, or a measurement.)
Consider asking: “What would you have to think about if you were going to design an Estimation Exploration like this one?” (There is something in the image that gives a clue about the general length of the object. Choosing an object that is not an exact length in whole inches.)
Record and display responses for all to see.


aligns: no