Metric Bookmark

 

Metric Bookmark
Edition: 2001

Credit: NIST

Summary

This resource provides a printable metric unit bookmark, which has unit references and a 116 cm ruler to use as a measurement reference. Print the two (2) page template on Tabloid/Ledger paper of size 279.4 mm x 431.8 mm (11 in x 17 in) in duplex (back-to-back). The printed template will create four bookmarks once cut. This resource is an interactive method to engage students in metric units and measures. Caution: The ruler edge will not be accurate if other paper sizes are used.

Did you know that you can obtain a free set of metric education resources for use in your classroom? Contact the NIST Metric Program at TheSI [at] nist.gov (TheSI[at]nist[dot]gov) and include your name, school, subject, grade level, phone number, and U.S. mailing address. Publication requests may also be made using the OWM Contacts System. The NIST SI Teacher Kit contains a curated collection of instructional measurement resources. A metric ruler is a valuable tool for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) classrooms.

Learning Objectives

• Become familiar with the International System of units and prefixes.
• Apply SI units of length. Use the metric ruler to measure small objects.
• Accurately read and interpret SI length scales.
• Develop skills in measuring objects and estimating lengths using the metric system.

Materials

• Digital file.
• Tabloid/Ledger paper of size 279.4 mm x 431.8 mm (11 in x 17 in).
• Printer.
• Scissors.

Safety

• Use caution when handling paper edges and scissors to prevent injury.

Teaching Tips

• Use the Top 10 Tips for Teaching the Metric System. 
  • Make measurements with metric tools. Measurement concepts are meaningfully established through hands-on activities. Application, not memorization, is the key to success! The SI is easy to learn when taught using metric tools. 
  • Practice building proficiency and confidence in making measurements. Measurement involves doing.
  • Develop reference points. How long? How big? How small? It’s important for students to gradually develop an intuitive feeling for the magnitude of commonly used metric units, including the millimeter (mm) and centimeter (cm). 
  • Use an interdisciplinary approach. Bring the SI into classrooms at every opportunity, including during instruction in language arts, fine arts, social sciences, industrial arts, vocational technologies, consumer studies, and physical fitness. For example, origami combines art, geometry, and engineering while applying metric length, area, and volume measurements. 
• Explain the SI unit relationships and discuss prefixes displayed on the bookmark. 
• Demonstrate how to use the 16 cm ruler. 
• Engage students in practical exercises, such as measuring objects in the classroom with the metric ruler. Estimate the length of objects, then verify the length with the metric ruler.

Classroom Connections

• SI Units – Length
• SI Units – Mass
• SI Units – Temperature
• SI Prefixes
• Unit Conversion
• Metric Children’s Activity Card
• Metric Conversion Card (SP 365)
• Metric Pyramid (LC 1140)
• Metric Ruler (SP 376)
• SI Base Units Relationships Poster (SP 1247)
• SI Units Card Deck (SP 1297)
• SI Measurement System Chart
• Measurement League: Guardians of the SI Superhero Card Set

Additional Resources

• National Metric Week
• Becoming Familiar with SI
• Everyday Estimation
• Education Metrication
• Metrication FAQs
• SI Education and Training
• SI Publications
• Understanding Metric
• Writing with Metric Units
• NEST-R (STEM Registry)
• NIST Education Resources