Science Skills Unit Part 3: Base Units of the Metric System, Measuring Skills

Metric System Base Units & Measurement: Interactive Lessons & Hands-On Activities

This 6-lesson unit (50 minutes each) provides an engaging and hands-on approach to understanding the base units of the Metric System, measurement techniques, and unit conversions. The 11-page printable work bundle follows the interactive slideshow, allowing students to fill in critical notes, measure objects, conduct experiments, solve problems, and engage with quizzes and games.

Students will explore metric prefixes, base units (length, mass, volume, temperature, and time), and density calculations, applying their knowledge through real-world measurement activities. A final 20-question review game ensures students grasp key concepts through interactive assessment. Editable slideshows and work bundles can be easily converted to Google Slides or Google Docs for

Google Classroom integration.

Key Features:

✔️ Structured Work Bundles – Students complete measurements, metric conversions, and problem-solving exercises.
✔️ Hands-On Learning – Engaging measurement activities, density experiments, and real-world challenges.
✔️ Built-In Assessments – Quizzes, crossword puzzles, and an interactive 20-question review game.
✔️ Editable & Google Classroom-Compatible – Customizable digital resources for flexible lesson planning.

Lesson Highlights & Topics Covered

📏 Metric System & Base Units

✔️ Metric Prefixes – Step-by-step introduction using the King Hector mnemonic (Kilo, Hecto, Deca, Whole unit, Deci, Centi, Milli).
✔️ Interactive Storytelling – King Hector meets his fate via chocolate milk, helping students recall the order of metric prefixes.
✔️ Base Units & Their Applications – Length (meters), mass (grams), time (seconds), volume (liters), and temperature (Celsius/Kelvin).

📐 Hands-On Measurement Activities

✔️ Dollar Bill Measuring Activity – Students calculate the length of a dollar bill in millimeters, centimeters, and kilometers.
✔️ Metric Conversion Challenges – Practical application of unit conversions with real-world objects.
✔️ Plastic Spoon Measurement Task – Students recreate a life-sized spoon using precise metric measurements.
✔️ Curved Line Measurement Experiment – Using rope to determine the length of curved lines.
✔️ Caliper Measurement Practice – Measuring spherical objects to understand diameter and precision.

⚖️ Mass, Volume & Density

✔️ Mass Measurement – Using a triple-beam balance, digital scale, and equal balance to compare different units.
✔️ Volume Calculation – Determining volume through formula-based (l × w × h) calculations and water displacement.
✔️ Density Lab Activity – Measuring density using irregular objects and density cubes.
✔️ Immersive Student Density Experiment – A student is submerged in a barrel of water (outdoor activity), and the class calculates their density based on displaced water.

🌡️ Temperature & Additional Units

✔️ Metric vs. U.S. Customary Temperature Scales – Comparing Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.
✔️ Temperature Conversion – Step-by-step practice converting between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
✔️ Kelvin Scale & Absolute Zero – Exploring extreme temperatures and their scientific significance.

🎯 Interactive Review & Final Assessment

✔️ Hidden Box Game – Students uncover metric-related images through interactive guessing.
✔️ Speed & Velocity Calculations – Applied physics concepts with problem-solving practice.
✔️ Final Quiz Game – Reinforces learning through 20 interactive questions with bonus challenges.
✔️ King Hector’s Final Fate – A humorous recap of the metric mnemonic as chocolate milk claims him once again.

This Metric System Base Units & Measurement Unit is perfect for middle and high school math and science classrooms, offering NGSS-aligned, interactive instruction that simplifies unit conversions, measurement techniques, and metric system fundamentals. With Google Classroom-compatible resources, engaging quizzes, hands-on activities, and structured lesson plans, this unit ensures students gain a solid understanding of the Metric System through fun, immersive, and practical applications.

Ideal for math, physics, chemistry, and STEM curricula, this unit turns measurement into an interactive and engaging experience, making learning both effective and enjoyable.