Source: Cyberchase: "Sensible Flats"
Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.
In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must measure two differently-shaped parcels of land to determine which has a larger area. The CyberSquad uses tarps, fence posts, and finally a grid made out of rope to count squares and determine the area of each parcel.
Download and ShareInvestigations/Scott Foresman (2006)
In Flips, Turns and Areas Grade 3
Investigation 1: Motions and Tetrominoes
Investigation 2: Finding Area
Here are some Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions for using this video in a math lesson.
What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?
Frame: Oftentimes, when we cover a flat surface, we need to know how large the area we are covering is. For example, when we put carpet on a floor, we usually have to figure out the area of the floor to know how much carpet we need. Area is the number of square units needed to cover a figure. Can you think of another example of when you might need to figure out the area of something?
Focus: As you watch this segment, consider these questions: Why does the CyberSquad need to know the area of the Judge’s parcel of land? How do they measure the area of the land, and what tools do they use?
Follow Up: Is area the distance around a figure? If not, what is area? How did the CyberSquad figure out the area of Judge Trudy’s land? If you were given a piece of drawing paper and asked to find its area using only materials you have in the classroom, how would you do it?
DIGIT: Way I understand it...That's Judge Trudy's land...That's Hacker's...And that's everybody else's.
MATT: Hey, Hacker's land is does look bigger than Judge Trudy's.
INEZ: Can I see those glasses for a sec? This is not good. This is not good at all.
JACKIE: What?! What's not good?!
INEZ: I don't think Hacker's land is bigger - I think Hacker's land and the judge's land have the same area.
MATT: That's even worse! If Hacker's innocent - he has no reason to make a deal with us!
BUZZ:You hear that? Those bratty kids think the boss is innocent.
DELETE: That's a good one. Ha. Let's keep an eye on 'em.
INEZ: I didn't say for sure he's innocent - it just looks like his land's not any bigger than Judge Trudy's.
JACKIE: If Inez is right, you can't put somebody in jail for something they didn't do - even a lowlife piece of cyberlint like Hacker!
MATT: Maybe so, but there's no way I'm helping that crook - not after he's already turned us down! No, uh uh. Not me.
INEZ: Hold on, there's got to be a way to find out which is bigger.
JACKIE: I've got it! We'll check the area of each one. If we divide the land into same size squares, all we have to do is count them. The bigger area will have more squares!
INEZ: If they have the same amount of square, they're the same size.
MATT: But if Hacker's has more squares, then he's the dirty landgrabber. And we're back in business!
INEZ: We can use our bandanas to figure out the square feet. C'mon, guys, hand 'em over.
JACKIE: Oh but they look so cool! So perfect for our Old West adventure.
MATT: And so small! It'll take forever to cover all that land with these little squares! We need much bigger squares!
DIGIT:Have no fear - The Didge is here!
INEZ: Finding these tarps in that gold mine was sheer genius, Didge.
JACKIE: I think we're being watched.
MATT: The least they could do is help. It's their boss we might be saving!
BUZZ: What are they up to now?
DELETE: I don't know. I am pretending not to look.
INEZ: Whoo! This is hard work. There's got to be an easier way.
MATT: Yeah, leave Hacker in jail!
INEZ: Wait! Maybe we don't have to cover the ENTIRE piece of land with these tarps. You see what I see?
DIGIT: Fenceposts?
JACKIE: I see that the distance between the fenceposts is the same as one side of one tarp.
MATT: How does that help us know how many tarps we need to cover Judge Trudy's land?
DELETE:Ooops!
JACKIE: Whoa! Will-you-guys-please-watch-it?! They are so in the way!
INEZ: Maybe, but that lasso looks just like a grid line.
JACKIE: And your point is...?
INEZ: There IS another way to mark off squares on the land - with ropes! Let's imagine those bozos tied ropes between all the fenceposts.
JACKIE: Check it out! The ropes form a grid of square spaces!
INEZ: And since the squares are the exact same size as the tarps...!
MATT: We don't have to cover Judge Trudy's land with tarps to measure it. We can just count the squares in the grid to get the area!
JACKIE: Oh, Buz-zy...De-le-ete...
DIGIT: Done!
INEZ: Didge, count the squares. And hurry, we're running out of time!
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