MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES.

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1 LETTER TO EDUCATORS The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is a non-profit educational institution that explores and presents the history and life ways of ordinary 18 th and 19 th century Americans through its collection, presentations, and exhibitions of hand tools and artifacts. School programs comprise an important part of our educational mission and are in full alignment with current Core Curriculum Standards. We are confident that you and your students will enjoy the Museum s presentation of MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES. We have assembled this educational packet to help you integrate our presentation with learning activities in your classroom. The packet is not intended to be a set of sequential tasks; rather, it presents additional possibilities. Mix and match, use what interests you, and come up with your own ideas. You may make copies of the pages of this document for classroom use. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these materials or any ideas about how to improve the packet or the Museum presentation. Meg Wastie Curator of Education , x12 schools@metc.org

2 OVERVIEW & PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES PROGRAM OVERVIEW Early Americans used timeless innovations to perform daily tasks and chores. Measurement was not always standard, and, as a result, caused a variety of problems in completing tasks and in conducting business and trade. Students will learn the reasons behind standard. Through hands-on examination of the Museum s artifacts, students will learn the functions of a variety of different devices. Each participant will make a replica of an early device and use it to complete assigned tasks. Students will demonstrate ability to: 1. Identify and define a variety of devices. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 2. Examine artifacts from the past to determine uses and applications to. 3. Perform tasks using a variety of problem-solving techniques. 4. Discover the reasons for establishing a system of standard. 5. Communicate effectively while presenting information to classmates. 6. Compare their lives to the lives of Early Americans by stating similarities and differences. 7. Develop brainstorming skills and group work skills by working in small groups on presentations of devices. 8. Demonstrate the uses of 18 th and 19 th century devices.

3 MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES Suggested Pre-Visit Activity Objective: Students will demonstrate an ability to identify different tools that are used by people in order to measure things. 1. Make a list of all the devices that can be found in your classroom or at home. 2. What is each used to measure? 3. How does it work? 4. How would a person be able to measure an object if he/she didn t have a specific device?

4 MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES Suggested Post-Visit Activity Objective: Students will demonstrate an ability to understand the uses of devices. INVENT YOUR OWN MEASURING TOOL! You are in a situation in which you have to measure the size or weight or height or other of something. But you have no devices on hand! Invent a machine that will do the job for you. Include in your invention: The problem: what are you trying to measure and why? A description of what your device will do A description of how your device works An illustration/diagram of your invention The name of your device

5 CORE STANDARD READING WRITING SPEAKING & LISTENING What is the purpose of? How did standard evolve? On observation forms provided, write group findings on specific device artifacts Review the purpose of Standard Surveyor Traveler Gunter s chain Gauge Measure Inch, foot, yard Accuracy Informative non-fiction: Information panels Artifact labels Mechanical devices used to establish criteria for Evaluate information across two systems Use specific evidence to prove findings Informative non-fiction: Information panels Artifact labels Use accurate & appropriate mathematical terminology in reporting findings Evaluate the accuracy of different systems over centuries Determine accurate based on experiments Evaluate results for validity: report findings on worksheet Classroom follow-up facilitated by Museum Learning Packet [MLP] LANGUAGE Communicate clearly & effectively when reporting results Comparative uses of terms of : foot, inch, yard, etc. Active using multiple systems to demonstrate understanding of terms Use specialized vocabulary in describing devices MUSEUM OF EARLY TRADES & CRAFTS, MADISON, NJ COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS MEASURING TOOLS OF EARLY TRADES GRADES 5-8