Activity 3: Presenting length, area and mass
In this activity you will research the measurements of length, area and mass used in different countries of Asia and provide a practical demonstration to the class.
- Before starting this activity, in groups of three, provide a definition of length, area and mass. As a class come to an agreement about the best definitions. Check your definitions against those on the right.
- In groups of three or four select either Task A or Task B for one of the measurements below.
- In your group read the research task carefully.
- View the list of useful websites in the References. Discuss and select which ones you will use for your research. A good search term is 'measurement units +'.
- Discuss how your group could present your research information and provide a practical demonstration using the units of measurement.
- Create a table with these column headings:
- Unit
- Country
- Measurement use
- Details about whether the unit is old or in current use and how the unit compares with Australian metric units
- Use information from your research and only fill in the information relating to your group's task.
- Each group is to present your research to the whole class.
- Reflect on what you have learnt when all presentations are completed by answering the following questions.
- What did I already know?
- What did I find interesting and want to know more about?
- What have I learnt?
Length
Task A
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure length in India, China and Japan. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used. Use the information to prepare a presentation using some lengths of string to represent each unit of measurement.
Australia began using the metric system in the 1960s. Include units of length such as a metre and centimetre so you can make some comparisons when measuring an object in the classroom as part of the presentation.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: yard, chain, mile. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However, some of the older units are still used in some regions.)
China: Your task is to describe and display this unit: ch'ih.
Japan: Your task is to describe and display these units: shaku, ken.
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of length called a bolt? What is it used to measure?
Task B
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure length in India, Japan, Thailand and China. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used. Use the information to prepare a presentation.
Australia began using the metric system in the 1960s. Include units of length such as a metre and kilometre so you can make some comparisons when measuring an object in the classroom as part of the presentation.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: inch, foot, yard, hasta. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However, some of the older units are still used in some regions.)
Japan: Your task is to describe and display this unit: ri.
Thailand: Your task is to describe and display this unit: wah.
China: Your task is to describe and display these units: li, gongli.
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of length called a hand? What is it used to measure?
Area
Task A
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure length in India, Korea and Japan. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used in local markets. Use this information to prepare a presentation.
Australia began adopting the metric system in the 1960s. Include units such as square centimetre (cm²) and square metre (m²) so you can compare them with the value of the units you are researching. Think of ways to show the comparisons visually.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: square inch square foot square yard. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However, some of the older units are still used in some regions.)
Korea: Your task is to describe and display this unit: pyong.
Japan: Your task is to describe and display these units: shaku, tatami, tsubo.
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of length called an anna? What is it used to measure?
Task B
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure length in India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Nepal. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used in local markets. Use this information to prepare a presentation.
Australia began adopting the metric system in the 1960s. Include units such as square metre (m²) and hectare (ha²) so you can compare them with the value of the units you are researching. Think of ways to show the comparisons visually.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: square yard, acre. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However some older units are still used in some regions.)
Pakistan: Your task is to describe and display these units: marla, kanal.
Vietnam: Your task is to describe and display these units: cong, sao.
Nepal: Your task is to describe and display this unit: kattha (or kata).
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of length called a decimal? What is it used to measure?
Mass
Task A
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure mass in India, Japan and Thailand. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used in local markets. Use this information to prepare a presentation.
Australia began adopting the metric system in the 1960s. Include units such as gram and kilogram so you can compare them with the value of the units you are researching. Think of ways to show the comparisons visually.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: ratti, ounce, pound. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However, some older units are still used in some regions.)
Japan: Your task is to describe and display these units: kin, momme, hyakume.
Thailand: Your task is to describe and display this unit: bhat.
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of mass called a catty? What is it used to measure?
Task B
Your task is to research information about the following units used to measure mass in India, Thailand, China and Japan. Make a note of the traditional units that are still being used in local markets. Use this information to prepare a presentation.
Australia began adopting the metric system in the 1960s. Include units such as kilogram and tonne so you can compare them with the value of the units you are researching. Think of ways to show the comparisons visually.
India: Your task is to describe and display these units: pound, stone, ton. (Did you know that the Republic of India adopted the metric system on 1 April 1957 which replaced the British [or imperial] system of units? However, some older units are still used in some regions.)
Thailand: Your task is to describe and display this unit: koyan.
China: Your task is to describe and display these units: jin, gongjin.
Japan: Your task is to describe and display this unit: kan.
Challenge: What can you find out about the unit of mass called a tael? What is it used to measure?