Hands Around the World

Why

Use measurement and problem-solving skills to determine how many children (holding hands) could reach around the world.


Steps

1. On the playground or in a large room, measure a line 50 yards (or meters) long with a tape measure. Count how many children, holding hands, are needed to reach across 50 yards.


2. With a partner, choose a destination on another continent. Find out how far it is from where you live. Calculate how many children it would take to reach there.


3. Then determine the number of children it would take, holding hands, to reach around the world. Use a calculator if necessary.


4. On a large sheet of construction paper, use Crayola® Markers and Crayons to illustrate how you solved either one of the problems. Present your solution to the class. How many different solutions were discovered? How much variation is there in the answers?


Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Adaptations

  • Estimate answers before calculating them. Make a chart of estimates and findings.
  • Use Crayola Multicultural Paint to create a large mural to show the solutions.
  • Provide manipulatives, such as clothespins and building blocks, for children with emerging math skills to work out similar but less challenging problems. Ask questions to assist children in breaking problems down into solvable parts.

Related Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

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Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Multicultural Markers
  • Construction Paper
household supplies
  • tape measure
  • calculator (optional)

Overview

grades

  • Grades 4 to 6
  • Grades 7 to 12

subjects

  • Math
  • Visual Arts

time

  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Multiple Sessions

benefits

  • Children use their math skills to decide how to approach a hypothetical problem.

  • Children determine when and how to break a problem into simpler parts, and solve it in one or more ways.

  • Children create a visual representation of one way they solved the mathematical problem.

Cirriculum

Research Canada Standards
Research UK Standards
Research U.S. Standards