Since this topic can be covered at many levels the level of sophistication will vary.

For Math for the Workplace we will be working in the imperial system. Review solving ratio and proportion problems. Review and use of map scales.

Weather dependent activity. 

Measuring tapes, printed copy of things to measure. Google Earth. Geometry Sketch Pad, Paint or other program to edit a picture. Computers for students to work on which have these programs. For my class 2 students worked together.

From Google earth print off a copy of the building, road etc you want students to measure; this gives a bird’s eye view. Have enough different ones that 2 students only will be measuring each part.

Day 1 - Review of map scale and ratio and proportion problems. Exercises involving a given scale then measure the diagram to find the actual size. 1:250 example picture of a 747 or 15:1 picture of a magnified bug.

Hand in sheet for assessment

Hand out printed diagram of building, road, etc. to measure. Group students and equipment with a measuring tape to go outside and measure: For example 3 sides of the school as accurately as possible. Write measurements on given diagram. Collect diagrams and check with what you have measured, these may be used repeatedly for different classes and years, so keep data.

Day 2-3 Book computers with appropriate programs. Time spent here will depend on how familiar students are with computers and programs. I used the program for 1 period before this to learn how to draw segments, put in a point, highlight 2 points and measure before starting this.

Bring up Google Earth not Google maps it will not work.

Have the students for example bring up the school, which contains the sides they measured.

Go to Edit copy image

Go to Paint under start, programs,  accessories or Paint.net and open the program

Under Edit choose paste

You should now see the school picture.

File - save as - my pictures give a file name and change save as type to JPEG

Go to edit select all and  edit copy

Now open  Geometer sketch pad

Go to edit Paste Picture

Go to edit – preferences -change distance to inches here if you want.

Have the students pick the point tool and place a point at each end of the distance they measured outside.

Now have them click on the arrow tool

Now hold down shift and choose both points.

Go to construct and choose segment

Go to measure Length

At this point students will need the sheet they put their outside measurements on. Have them make up a chart naming the side and  the actual measurement along with the computer scale measurement.

Move measurement box to side measured.

Repeat for number of side students measured.

Check screens that measurement box is on the correct side.

Hand in diagram and chart to mark.

From here you can extend scale drawing

Blueprints etc.

Work sheet- ability to solve ratio proportion problems

Accurate outside measurement on given diagram.

Use of programs and technology to solve problems.

Groups of 2

Have enough measuring sites so  there are not repeats

Google earth, Geometer Sketch Pad, Paint