Date dilemma
This is a level 2 measurement activity from the Figure It Out theme series. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers' notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- To interpret a calendar.
Date dilemma
Achievement objectives
GM2-1: Create and use appropriate units and devices to measure length, area, volume and capacity, weight (mass), turn (angle), temperature, and time.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Level 2–3, Theme: Gala, "Date dilemma", page 1
- a classmate
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Date dilemma activity (.pdf)
Activity
This activity encourages students to discuss the problem cooperatively, interpret a calendar, and use sound reasoning. Before beginning the activity, you may need to review the students’ calendar reading skills by asking questions such as:
- How many weeks are in this month?
- Which is the third Saturday?
- What is the date of the Saturday between Thursday, 6 November and Tuesday, 11 November?
Ensure that the students understand that a week is just 7 days, for example, Sunday to Saturday or Friday to Thursday. A common mistake made by students is that a week is from Sunday to Sunday or Friday to Friday, that is, 8 days.
You could introduce the activity by showing the students a large calendar, highlighting the dates of important events at your school, and asking the students to think about the likely reason for those days being chosen.
The students then need to work in pairs to decide which date they would choose and why. Make sure they realise that there is no right answer. This could be followed by a class discussion in which each pair shares their choice of Saturday and their reasoning.
The students may find it easier to compare Saturdays if they organise the data in a systematic way, for example:
Saturday 1 November |
Saturday 8 November |
Sunday 15 November |
Saturday 22 November |
Saturday 22 November |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Town parade |
Three teachers at wedding Room 4 teacher away |
Room 5 and 6 camp Room 2 and 3 kapa haka practice Te Rata car rally |
Strong winds |
Strong winds Room 2 and 3 kapa haka practice |
None of the dates is ideal. Students could argue that 22 November is the best, but there is the risk of high winds. Students could argue that 1 November is the best because a lot of people will be in town for the parade and will also come to the fair if the timing is right.
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