Hippos are HUGE!...but how huge, exactly?
Post date: Feb 1, 2017 4:30:49 PM
Who says you can't do math in the library?!? Spruce Mountain Elementary students have been reading the Chickadee nominated book Hippos are Huge! by Jonathan London. Ed tech Karly Wilkins decided to bring this story to life by having students estimate exactly HOW huge hippos are, then measuring how accurate their estimates were.
Below are photos of students actively engaged in the estimation and measuring activity in the library.
SMES students could choose any method to estimate the hippo's length. In this photo, students use their feet to estimate the length of an adult male hippopotamus. Once they have an accurate estimate, they place a sticky note with their name at their estimated spot.
Another estimation method was to use their own height as a reference point. With classmates looking on and helping, this student makes an estimate using his own body. Classmates use their feet to mark the top of his head so he can lay down again.
Miss Wilkins and her students measure the exact length based on the facts they learned in the book.
Students assist with measurement and determine which students had the closest estimates. Several were very close to the exact length, and one estimate was perfect!
If you are doing the Chickadee Awards with your class and would like to use this activity in your library or classroom, please feel free! Thank you!
