Go to LZ95 WebQuest Page
Size is Relative WebQuest
Grade: 8
Subject: Mathematics
Curricular Goal: Problem Solving, Reasoning, Connections, Number Relationships,
Computation, Estimation, and Measurement
Introduction:
Have you ever stood at the bottom of a very tall building and wondered just how tall it
was? Think for a moment about the tallest building or the highest mountain you have
ever seen. Sometimes it is hard to relate to their massive heights. By
comparing a known height, for instance, to how tall you are, you will be better able to
understand the relationship between heights of different objects.
Task:
„measure their heights in feet and inches
„use the Internet to find the heights of the Washington Monument, the highest point in
Illinois, and the depth of the Marianas Trench.
„set up proportions comparing their heights to the heights of the Washington Monument,
the highest point in Illinois, and the depth of the Marianas Trench.
„calculate the decimal, fraction, and percent equivalents for each ratio
„make a scale drawing that will include themselves, Washington Monument, the highest
point in Illinois, and the depth of the Marianas Trench.
Process:
1. With your partner, record your heights in feet by using decimals
on the worksheet provided.
2. Go to the Website listed in "Resources" and find the
height of the Washington Monument in feet.
3. Compare your height to the Washington Monument's height by setting
up a ratio in feet. Express your answers as fractions, decimals, and
percents. Fill in the table with your values on the worksheet provided.
4. Reflect on the above comparison and answer the question on the
workseet provided.
5. On a piece of graph paper, make a scale drawing of your height and
the height of the Washington Monument. Make sure to provide a scale on the graph
paper.
6. Go to the Website listed in "Resources" and find the
height of the heighest point in Illinois.
7. List the highest point in Illinois on your worksheet.
8. Compare your height to the height of the heighest point in
Illinois by setting up a ratio in feet. Express your answers as
fractions, decimals, and percents. Fill in the table with your values on
the worksheet provided.
9. On a piece of graph paper, make a scale drawing of your height and
the height of the highest point in Illinois. Make sure to provide a scale on the
graph paper.
10. Go to the Website listed in "Resources" and find the
depth of the deepest point in the world.
11. Answer the questions on your worksheet regarding the deepest
point in the world.
12. Complete your scale drawing by adding to it the Marianas
Trench. Look back over your drawing and add any additional information such as
scales, labels, titles, or legends.
Resources:
The resources are typed here:
Washington Monument
Highest Point in Illinois
Deepest Point in the
World
Evaluation:
Individual grades on the following:
Worksheets
Scale Drawings
Completed Tables
Conclusion:
You have discovered how to relate your height to geographical features.
Jodi Ellis
Renzo Fontana
Jane Wimer
Created: October 8, 1999