Cubits, spans and digits

In this activity, students investigate the use of body parts such as the arm and fingers as a basis for developing a length measuring system.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• use arm and finger parts to develop a length measuring system
• recognise the need to standardise a length measurement system
• understand that every measurement consists of two parts – a number and a unit
• recognise that there is a degree of uncertainty with every measurement taken.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

• introduction/background notes
• what you need
• what to do
• discussion questions.