Measuring Up Metric

Working in pairs, players cut out the 24 cards from one of their materials, keeping the other sheet of cards intact as a reference to check their answers. (Each row is a set of correct answers.)

Hint: the fastest way to cut the cards is to cut the top, right, bottom, and left sides off first. Hint: you can save a few minutes of your students' time by using a paper cutter to make the long outer cuts and cutting the columns. Leave the short cuts between cards for the students.

​

Demonstrate the rules in front of the class.

Show slide. Paraphrase:

In Triple Concentration, you take turns with a partner to try to turn up a triple match. If you do not get a triple match (like the example below), it’s the end of your turn. Return the cards to the face down position on your desk. If you find a triple match, you get an extra turn.

The cards all have two metric values and something being measured that might match that value.

Instruct players to not rearrange the cards so they can memorize the locations and the information on the cards. Remind your students this game isn't about winning, but thinking about units. They should not bend the rules to make it easier to win the game.

Arranging the cards so you can memorize the locations and the information on the cards is against the rules and the spirit of the game. Mix the cards up well before you start turning them over.

The Rules of the Game

1. One player shuffles the 24 cards and places them on the desk, facing down, in four rows and six columns.
2. Player A turns over three cards. If the pair thinks the three cards match, they check their reference sheet to see if they are correct.
3. If the cards match, player A removes the cards and takes another turn. If the cards do not match, player A returns the cards to their original locations, placing them face down. Player A’s turn is over.
4. Player B takes a turn, and the players follow the same instructions.
5. Players alternate turning over three cards until all of the cards have been matched and removed from the playing area.

Follow the original rules, or use these variations to make the game easier:

• Players remove the cards listing the items and distances from the game area. They then use only the measurement cards for the concentration game.
• Players create three columns of eight cards, keeping the cards in the same columns as on the original sheet. One player shuffles the cards in column 1 and places them face down, then does the same for columns 2 and 3. This keeps the cards in their original columns and reduces the amount of time it takes for this activity. Then students play the game as above.