The Gallon Man

Introduction

You have probably been measuring items in your daily life longer than you know.  While pouring yourself something to drink, you probably carefully measured out enough not to spill.  Today you will get the opportunity to identify different measures of volume.  Once you have identified the different measures of volume you will work with your classmates to create Mr. Gallon Man, a visual that you will use to show others how the different measures of volume compare to each other.  Lastly, your whole class will create a recipe book that you can use to explain the types of things that can be measured using the different measures of volume.

                                                

Task

First you will identify different measures of volume. 

Next you will identify tools you use to measure volume at home or at school.

Then you will work in small groups to create a visual that you will use to teach others how the different measures of volume compare to each other.

Finally, the whole class will create a book that will explain how we measure volume and the tools we use to measure it.

                                                

Process

Day 1: Researching:

Before you begin today, your teacher will be placing you in four groups of five students. You will be given a number from 1 to 4. The groups will be made up of people that have the same number. You will meet in these groups when you are completing the activities for this lesson.

First you will learn about the four measures of volume which you will be exploring throughout this unit: cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. 


Begin by following the directions on each of the following slides. 

Slide 1

Slide 2

Slide 3

Slide 4

Slide 5

You just took a look at containers that hold different measures of volume including: cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Then you brainstormed individually, in small groups, and as a whole class in order to identify items that you have seen in similar containers at school or at home. Finally, you discussed different things that you can measure using the containers that we looked at. You should continue to think about why containers of different sizes are useful in your world.

Before you continue, take a look at this picture of the dairy aisle and see where you can find gallons, quarts, pints, and cups at the grocery store. Do you recognize anything that you have at home?

Now, we will look through grocery store ads in small groups.
In your group, cut out pictures of containers that hold cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Create a poster that shows one measure of volume that we discussed.

If your group finishes early, you may ask permission to use one of the classroom computers to estimate the amount of smaller containers full of water that it takes to fill a larger container at the following website:

Liquid Volume Game
 

Day 2: Compiling:

You will begin this activity in the small groups that you were working in during part one.

Today you will be comparing the different measures of volume and putting them together in a display so that other students are able to recognize how the units of measure relate to one another. The slides below will show you how the different measures compare and introduce the project that you will be creating.

Begin by looking at each slide below. 

Slide 1

Slide 2

Slide 3

Slide 4

Slide 5

Slide 6

In your groups, create your own Mr. Gallon Project. Your teacher will assign each of the five people in your group a number from 1 to 5. The number that you receive will determine your job in the group work.

Group Roles

The following link gives examples of the Mr. Gallon projects that other students have put together:

Gallon Man Examples

Use the worksheet below as a material list check off sheet, a review for the different measures of volume, and as a guideline for what your finished gallon man should look like. Use the instruction sheet for step-by-step instructions for creating your Mr. Gallon.

Worksheet

Instruction Sheet

The final Mr. Gallon Displays that you have created will be displayed around your classroom for reference.

 

Day 3: Creating:

Today you will use what you know about cups, pints, quarts, and gallons to make recipes of different sizes. You will  put all of your recipes together to create a recipe book to take home.

Work in groups of two. Use your Gallon Man to fill in the missing information for the recipe sheets below. You may choose to use measuring tools for cups, pints, quarts, and gallons or the Mr. Gallon display to find the missing pieces in the recipes. You may use sand or water to fill the measuring tools if you choose to use them, but be careful not to spill!

Fruit Power Lemonade

Sour Cream Biscuits

Orange Frosts

When you have finished the assignment your group can decorate two pieces of construction paper for the front and back covers of your recipe book and then you can take your recipe book home to enjoy!

 

Evaluation

 

     Task

Developing

 

2

Accomplished

 

3

Exemplary

4

 

Score

Completion of Gallon Man Project

- At least three of the four measures of volume (gallon, quart, pint, cup) are included.

- At least 2 measures  are placed accurately in relation to each other

- All four measures of volume (gallon, quart, pint, cup) are included and are placed accurately in relation to each other.

- All directions were followed.

- All four measures of volume (gallon, quart, pint, cup) are included and are placed accurately in relation to each other.

- Work is carefully completed, neatly done and well presented.  

- All directions were followed.

 

 

Completion of Recipe Book

- Less than 3 mistakes with conversions.

- All conversions are correct.

- All directions were followed.

 

 

 

- All conversions are correct.

- Work is carefully completed, neat and well presented.

- All directions were followed. 

 

 

Effort During Group Work

 

- Worked with others without conflict, participated 50% of the time, and completed at least one assignment.

-Worked fairly well with others, participated most of the time, and completed all assignments.

- Worked well with others, participated actively and completed all assignments.

 

 

Conclusion

Now you have learned about all the tools we use to measure volume and how the different measures relate to each other. You've also created Mr. Gallon Man which will help you to remember what you've learned. Best of all you've created a recipe book that you can use at home. Mrs. Cuttino hope you have enjoyed all the learning you have done. I also hope you enjoy all of the tools you've created and use them again in the future!

Credits
Teacher Page

Here are the documents that will be needed to teach this webquest.

Group Roles

Gallon Man Examples

Worksheet

Instruction Sheet

Fruit Power Lemonade

Sour Cream Biscuits

Orange Frosts

In addition you will need newspaper clippings (grocery ads, coupons) with pictures of gallons, quarts, pints, and cups for students to cut out.