Math Idea #2
                            Measurement


Objectives:
     The  students will identify equivalents among 1 cup, 1/2  cup,
     and 1/4 cup.
     The  students will identify objects that represent 1 cup,  1/2
     cup, and 1/4 cup.


Rationale:
     After  your class uses "5 A Day Adventures" to explore Serving
     Size Land in the Land of 5 a Day, reinforce the different ways
     that servings of various foods are measured.  The measurements
     differ  and  present  a challenge as the students  learn  what
     equals 1 serving.  They will also learn how to add servings to
     reach their goal of eating 5 fruits and vegetables each day.

     This activity will help students to relate everyday objects to
     these specific amounts, and will give them a hands on activity
     with fractions.

     Serving  sizes  are important in calculating  the  amounts  of
     fruits and vegetables that add up to 5 a     Day.

     1 serving = 3/4 cup of 100% juice
     can  be   = 1  cup  of  leafy  greens, such  as  lettuce,
     any of      spinach, collards, kale
     these     = 1/2 cup canned or cooked vegetables such as peas
               = 1/2 cup canned fruit, such as pineapple chunks
               = 1/4 cup dried fruit, such as raisins

Materials:
     -    1, 1/2, and 1/4 cup measuring cups for each group.
     -    various  foods to measure -- check with your food service
          director
               For 100% juice -- water (or juice)
               For leafy greens -- any green leaves (outer lettuce leaves)
               For dried fruit -- use raisins
               For canned fruit -- any canned fruit chunks (pineapple)
               For cooked vegetable -- shredded carrots, canned peas
               everyday  objects representing the amounts of 1, 1/2,
               and 1/4 cups (see activity)

Introduction:
     1.   Show students different size measuring cups (1 cup,
          1/2  cup,  and  1/4  cup), and the  foods  they  will  be
          measuring.
     2.   Determine  which  foods  should  be  placed  into   which
          measuring cup to make 1 serving.  For instance.
               Use the 1 cup to measure 1 serving of leafy greens
               Use  the 1/4 cup to measure 1 serving of dried fruit
               -- raisins
               Use  the 1/2 cup to show 1 serving of a canned fruit
               or cooked vegetable
               Use  a 1 cup liquid measuring cup to measure 3/4 cup
               juice (or water)

     3.   Fill  each  measuring cup with the appropriate  fruit  or
          vegetable.
     4.   Discuss  with  students the fact  that  fruits  and
          vegetables,  do not take the shape of the container,  but
          juice (a liquid) does.
     5.   Show everyday objects representing 1 cup, 1/2  cup,
          and  1/4 cup to which students can relate. (Small box  of
          raisins,  milk carton from cafeteria, small  juice  glass
          that holds 6 oz.)

Group Activity:
     Give each group measuring cups of 1 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1/4 cup.
     Have  the  students answer the following questions by  testing
     equivalents   using  raisins,  water,  or  material   in   the
     classroom,  such as aquarium gravel, or any other  appropriate
     material.

     - How many 1/2 cups = 1 cup?  _______

     - How many 1/4 cups = 1 cup?  _______

     - How many 1/4 cups = 1/2 cup?  _______

     - How many 1 cups = 2 cups?  _______

     - How many 1/4 cups = 2 cups?  _______

     - How many 1/2 cups = 2 1/2 cups?  _______

     - How much is a handful of raisins?  ______

    -  If  a handful of raisins is one serving, how many servings
       would 2 handfuls be?  _______

Individual Activity:
     Have  a contest to see who can bring in objects closest  to  1
     cup, 1/2 cup, and 1/4 cup.  (Nothing breakable)!

Related Activities:
     *    Follow  this  activity with making the  Fruit  and  Juice
          Breakfast  Shake  from  the Kids  Cookbook.  This  recipe
          requires  measurements of 3/4 cup, 1/2 cup and 1  banana.
          Have  the  students determine how much of each ingredient
          will be needed for this activity and have kids bring  the
          ingredients.  Ask the food service director to help  with
          the mixing -- do this activity in the school cafeteria.
     *    Have  the food service director at school arrange  for  a
          juice  snack where kids measure 1   serving of juice  for
          themselves.  This could be done at tables; have  students
          measure  and serve their classmates.  To make 1  serving,
          students  could  use a     measuring cup to  measure  the
          appropriate  amount, then pour that amount into  a  juice
          glass  or even a water glass to see how much of the glass
          is  filled.  (Drinking a large water glass of 100%  juice
          would be more than 1 serving, how many servings would  it
          be?)
     *    Extend  equivalents to include teaspoons and tablespoons,
          cups, pints, quarts, ounces, pounds, etc.
     *    Have the class participate in setting up a salad bar.

     *    Invite  the  school's  food  service  staff  to  give   a
          demonstration using different techniques of measurement.




 5 A Day Adventures: Math Idea # 2