Dottie,
Working with the same group here, we provided a 5 hour (one hour per day, one week long) measurement class. I went to a dollar store and bought tape measures for the participants (some hardware stores may even have some free for advertising purposes). We spent some time on the concepts of fractions - I think we went to 1/32.  initially we did a lot of folding and cutting of paper. Then we did a lot of measuring of things in the classroom, things around the school. They had homework assignments to measure things around their apartments - bedframes, TV screens, tables, etc. Finally, they had a list of instructions to measure and cut in class (measure and cut a 2 1/2 "x 7 3/4" strip of paper ). We also worked on the kind of pronunciation patterns they may hear around the work place - 'tu-n-a haf by sev'n-n three fourths'. I had hoped to be able to actually work with sawing wood at different lengths and putting nails in at specific or approximate intervals, but so far I haven't yet been able to arrange that. I found that since the Meskhetian Turks already understood the applications, learning happened surprisingly fast.
Most of my ideas were inspired by my own experience overseas learning the metric system. I went through a frustrating period of learning conversion formulas and relying on conversion tables until I finally just started measuring what was relevant in my day to day life. Then I was able to develop a 'feel' for the lengths and weights. So I really think that is the key - just measure a lot - your forearm, your thumb, the distance from your middle knuckle to the last knuckle on your index finger, your foot, etc.

Good luck,




Steven J. Rainey, Director
English Language Center
1607 W Jefferson St.
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 336-5533 ext. 269


>>> dottie at shattuck.net 02/06/06 08:58PM >>>

ESL toolkit surveyColleagues:  HELP!

Any ideas for teaching linear measure other than basic vocab. (inch, feet, yard, fractions 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16; length, width, etc) and actually measuring things in the classroom & immediately outside?

We have a very good possibility of several woodworking/carpenter jobs for our refugee clients (mostly Meskhetian Turks & Montangards), but I must teach them to understand & do measures within the next week or so.

The M. Turks (from Russia) & some of the Montangards have high school educations, so I think they'll know the concept of fractions, but as related to the metric system.  I plan to do 1/8 & 1/16 w/a pizza illustration, but I really need other ideas! 

Of course, I'll hit Home Depot & Lowe's for donations of measuring tools!

Thanks,

Dottie Shattuck
ELT instructor
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Charlotte, NC