Metric Pyramid (LC 1140)

Summary

Metric Pyramid (LC 1140)
Edition: 2002

This resource provides a printable metric unit pyramid, which has unit conversions and 10 cm sides which may be used as a reference ruler. The printed paper of size 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm (8.5 in x 11 in) is to be cut out and folded to create the pyramid. This resource is an interactive method to engage students in unit conversion and metric measures. Caution: The ruler edge will not be accurate if other paper sizes are used.

Learning Objectives

• Use the pyramid to perform quick approximate unit conversion calculations.
• Use the ruler to measure small objects in centimeters (cm). 

Materials

• Required
  • Digital file.
  • 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm (8.5 in x 11 in) office size cardstock.
  • Printer.
  • Scissors.
  • Clear tape or glue stick.

Safety

• Use caution when handling paper edges and scissors to prevent injury.

Teaching Tips

• Use the Top 10 Tips for Teaching the Metric System. 
  • Make measurements with metric tools. Measurement concepts are meaningfully established through hands-on activities. Application, not memorization, is the key to success! The SI is easy to learn when taught using metric tools. 
  • Practice building proficiency and confidence in making measurements. Measurement involves doing.
  • Develop reference points. How long? How big? How small? It’s important for students to gradually develop an intuitive feeling for the magnitude of commonly used metric units, including the millimeter (mm) and centimeter (cm). 
  • Use an interdisciplinary approach. Bring the SI into classrooms at every opportunity, including during instruction in language arts, fine arts, social sciences, industrial arts, vocational technologies, consumer studies, and physical fitness. For example, origami combines art, geometry, and engineering while applying metric length, area, and volume measurements.
  • Teach non-SI unit conversions only when required. teach the metric system without making any comparisons to non-SI measurements. After students become proficient in using the metric system and are comfortable applying SI measurements, they may encounter applications that require making mathematical unit conversions between SI and non-SI units.
• Explain the approximate conversion factors of various units that are displayed on each face. Each side is 10 cm in length, which may be used as a ruler. 
• Students may use this publication as a “homework helper,” placing the assembled pyramid on the classroom or home desk to use as an easy guide when calculating approximate unit conversions.

Classroom Connections

• SI Units – Length
• SI Units – Mass
• SI Units – Area
• SI Units – Volume
• SI Units – Temperature
• SI Prefixes
• Unit Conversion
• Metric Bookmark
• Metric Children’s Activity Card
• SI Units Card Deck (SP 1297)
• SI Base Units Relationships Poster (SP 1247)
• SI Measurement System Chart
• Metric Conversion Card (SP 365)
• Metric Ruler (SP 376)
• Measurement League: Guardians of the SI Superhero Card Set
• SI Measurement System Chart

Additional Resources

• National Metric Week
• SI Education and Training
• SI Teacher Kit
• Metric Kitchen
• NIST Education Resources
• Education Metrication
• NEST-R (STEM Registry)