Science 2 Standard 2 Combo
12/12/02
10:40 AM
Page 67
Standard Indicators
2.2.1, 2.2.3
Mind Your P’s and C’s!
Purpose
Materials
For each student: clear plastic 8 oz. cup, copy of Black Line Master
(BLM) Mind Your P’s and C’s
For each group of students: clear plastic 16 oz. cup or small clear water
bottle, one-gallon container, 2 mystery size containers
For the class: water, liquid measuring cup, permanent marker, paper
towels, 5-gallon container (use an old water cooler bottle or
pickle bucket)
incorporating
TECHNOLOGY
Have students use
graphing software to
create a bar graph
showing the number of
cups or pints needed to
fill each container.
Activity
A. Pre-Activity Preparation
1. Prepare one-cup containers by measuring one cup of water and
pouring it into the 8 oz. cups. Draw a line on the cup to indicate
the one-cup level. Prepare a one-cup measuring container for
every student in the class.
2. Prepare one-pint containers by measuring two cups of water and
pouring them into the 16 oz. cups, or small, clear plastic water
bottles. Draw a line on the cup to indicate the one-pint level.
Prepare a one-pint measuring container for each group. (If you
use plastic water bottles, removing the narrow opening on the
bottles may help minimize spills during this activity.)
meeting
individual
NEEDS
Have students who
complete this activity
with ease investigate
the relationship between
other units of volume,
such as quarts
and liters.
B. Mind your P’s and C’s
1. Divide students into groups of four.
2. Give each student a copy of the BLM Mind Your P’s and C’s and
a one-cup measuring container.
3. Distribute to each group a one-pint measuring container and
a one-gallon container.
4. Discuss the different sized measuring containers with the class.
Show students how you made their measuring containers and
direct their attention to the various containers set out for
this activity.
5. Inform students that they will be estimating how many pints
or cups of liquid fit into each container.
(continued)
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 3
Indiana Science Grade 2 Standards Resource, February 2003
Standards Links
2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.5.2
page 67
Standard 2
Students will estimate and measure the volume of containers using
cups and pints.
Science 2 Standard 2 Combo
12/12/02
10:40 AM
Page 68
Activity (continued)
Standard 2
6. Have students fill in the group work estimation section of the
BLM Mind Your P’s and C’s prior to doing the activity.
7. When students have made all of their estimates, allow them to
begin testing their estimates by making real measurements.
Have students attempt to answer each question by using either
their cup or pint measuring containers to see just how much
liquid each container will hold. Instruct students to record their
actual measurements on the BLM.
8. When all students have completed their measurements, have the
students share and discuss their results.
9. Have students then look at the class work section of the BLM
and make an estimate of how many pints will fit into the
five-gallon container.
10. Have students gather as a class to determine how many pints
are needed to fill the five-gallon container.
Questions for Review
Basic Concepts and Processes
As students are calculating their estimates, circulate through the room
and ask questions such as:
How many pints do you think that container will hold?
How many cups do you think that container will hold?
How did you determine your estimate?
page 68
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 3
Indiana Science Grade 2 Standards Resource, February 2003
Science 2 Standard 2 Combo
12/12/02
10:40 AM
Page 69
Name:
MIND YOUR P’S AND C’S
Fill in the estimation section of this activity sheet before you start to take
measurements.
Group Work:
ESTIMATE
MEASUREMENT
How many cups are in 1 pint?
_______cups _________cups
How many cups are in 1 gallon?
_______cups _________cups
How many pints are in 1 gallon?
_______pints _________pints
How many cups are in mystery container #1? ______cups _____cups
How many pints are in mystery container #2? ____pints
_____pints
Class Work:
Estimate:
I think it will take ______ pints to fill the five-gallon container.
Class Measurement:
It took ______ pints to fill the five-gallon container.
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 3
Indiana Science Grade 2 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 1
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