Measurements and Some Math
Objective: Students will learn measurements in English, and be able to use this
information when mixing and diluting chemicals.
Introductory Activities (All-Level): (i.e. Dialogue/story/photo for context-setting
prior to level breakout)
1. Introductory dialogue “Measuring Chemicals” and questions.
L1
L2
Lesson Goals
 To read and follow
basic measurement
instructions
Key Vocabulary
 Yes, I did or No, I
didn’t.
 How many vs. how
much
 mix
 measure
 ounces
 gallons
Level Specific Activities
1. Use props to identify
individual measurements


Review how many
vs. how much
measurement
various
measurements
dilute
1. A small quiz
instructions
accurately
exactly
various
measurements
dilute, dilution
1. A small quiz, plus the
word problems associated
with it (not with a partner)
To give basic
instructions to
coworker for mixing
chemicals



L3

To understand
complex instructions
for chemical
handling, and to
answer questions
about chemicals
dilution.





Closing activities: “Heads Together” game.
Day One –
1.
Begin dialogue “Measuring Chemicals.”
2.
Students read dialogue “Measuring Chemicals” in rounds.
3.
Discuss questions 1-3 below dialogue.
4.
Ask: If you have pre-measured packets, should you still learn the
measurements? Why or why not?
Day Two –
1. Turn to measurements page, and have students try to identify the different
sizes. Highlight pronunciation.
2. Discuss conversions – how many ounces in a cup, etc.
3. Review how to pronounce fractions, esp. those used in cooking & mixing
chemicals – ¼, ½, 2/3
4. Do a few basic calculations as a group. For example, I’m having dinner for 4,
but my recipe says it serves 8. What do I do? or My glass cleaner says use 8
oz. with a gallon of water. My bucket is 5 gallons. How much glass cleaner do I
need?
Day Three –
1. Dialogue “A misunderstanding.” Review “Yes, I did,” and “No, I didn’t” as
responses to questions. Have higher level students come up with other
responses to Janet’s accusation. Highlight Miguel’s explanation of his
measurements, and show how you would write that as an equation.
2. Open discussion to when they’ve had to defend their work, or when bosses have
asked questions about what they are doing.
Day Four –
1. Hand out measurements quiz. Students should try to do alone, then compare
with partner. (If they really need help, they can work with their partner.)
2. Word scramble. Review pronunciation and meaning of any words. Answer any
questions about the grammar of the sentences.
Day Five – (bring in props)
1. Review Game called “Heads Together.” Each group has 4-5 students. Each
student has a number. So there if there are 5 groups in the class, there will be
4 number 1s, 4 number 2s, etc. Teacher asks a question, the group confers to
come up with an answer, then she says “Number 3.” The first number 3 to
jump up gets to answer the question. If she answer it correctly, her team gets
a point. Questions can be weighted to varying levels. For example, hold up a
measuring cup, and say “What is this?” Each group confers, decides measuring
cup, and then you call a number. The first person of that number to stand up
and call out measuring cup wins the point.
Questions to ask: What is this? (measuring cup, teaspoon, tablespoon, half
gallon, etc.)
 How many quarts in a gallon?
 How many cups in a quart?
 How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
 What does “dilute” mean?
 How many eggs in a dozen?
 I want to make tres leches cake. I need 3 cups of milk. I have a pint.
Do I have enough milk?
 You need to mix chemicals. The label says “well ventilated space.” Where
should you mix the chemicals?
 What is half of a half-cup?
 How much is two pints?
Dialogue – Measuring Chemicals
Miguel:
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
Excuse me, Janet, can you help me?
Sure, what do you need?
This is a new product. Do you know how to use it?
The label says to mix four ounces in one gallon of
water.
Does it matter if the water is hot or cold?
Oh, sorry. It says hot water.
OK, thanks. I will mix it in this bottle.
Be sure to measure accurately.
1.
What do you measure at work?
2.
What do you measure at home?
3.
Which measurements do you know in English?
Can you identify these measurements?
Which is
a quart?
Which is
a gallon?
Which is
a pint?
Which is
a halfgallon?
Which is a teaspoon?
Which is a tablespoon?
Measurements
Top to bottom (big to small):
1 tablespoon equals 3
teaspoons.
2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce
8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
Left to right (small to big):
1 pint = 2 cups
1 quart = 2 pints (4 cups)
½-gallon = 2 quarts (8 cups)
1 gallon = 4 quarts (16 cups)
pint
quart
½ gallon
gallon
A Misunderstanding
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
Miguel:
Janet:
What are you doing Miguel?!
I’m putting this stuff away. I just diluted the floor
cleaner.
You did it wrong!
No, I didn’t. I followed the instructions on the label.
But you put in a cup of cleaner, and it says half cup.
I know, but I mixed it with two gallons of water. The
labels says half cup for one gallon.
Sorry, I didn’t know you were doubling the amount.
1.
Did Miguel do anything wrong?
2.
How did Miguel explain his actions?
3.
When do you have to explain your work to your boss?
Name: ___________________________
Measurements – a small quiz
Fill in the blanks. Use the space on the side to figure out your
problems.
1.
2 pints = ______ quart.
2.
1 pint = _______ cups.
3.
1 gallon = ________ quarts.
4.
2 gallons = _______ quarts.
5.
One quart equals _______ cups.
6.
One cup equals _________ ounces.
7.
One-half gallon equals ______ quarts.
Problem Solving (Work with a partner if you want.)
8. Jamie has a half gallon of water. She needs 5 cups to mix with
her glass cleaner. Does she have enough water? Figure out
your answer and show your work. You can draw pictures to
help you.
9. The recipe for a batch of brownies calls for one cup of
chocolate syrup. John has a one quart container of chocolate
syrup. How many batches of brownies can John make? You
can draw pictures to help you.
Word and Sentence Scrambles – Math and Measuring
Unscramble the words below:
1. mtplyuil
__________________
2. ttscbuar
__________________
3. dddviie yb
__________________
4. llonga
__________________
5. noopselbat
__________________
6. flha lglano
__________________
7. tmmeueensar __________________
Unscramble the sentences below:
1. sure be measure to carefully.
____________________________________________________
2. two two plus equals four.
____________________________________________________
3. much how water need I do?
____________________________________________________
4. label the dilute says to with water cold.
____________________________________________________
5. math use I day every.
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