In the “Washer Toss” measurement game, mixed number addition is practiced as well as physics concepts

 

Title – Washer Toss
By – Joe Ness
Primary Subject – Math
Secondary Subjects – Science
Grade Level – 5

Materials needed:

• 1 – tuna can, 12 oz., empty, clean, edges covered for safety
• 6 – ¾ inch metal washers (3 colored red, 3 colored blue)
• 1 – hand towel
• 1 – 12 inch ruler
• 1 – roll of plastic packing tape
• 1 – paper for tallying and scorekeeping
• 1 – pencil

Texas TEKS:

5th Grade Math — 5.11B Describe numerical relations between units of measure within the same system.

6th Grade Science — 6.6A Describe change in position, direction of motion, and speed of an object when acted upon by force.

Objective:

1) To have students observe the effects of angle, trajectory, and force when tossing an object toward a target.

2) To have students practice measuring and adding up distances.

Procedures:

TTW (the teacher will) give rulers to each learner and review all the markings on the ruler with the class.

TTW select 4 learners from the class, splitting them into 2 teams of 2 each.

TTW place the towel neatly on the ground approximately 8 feet away from the throwers. TTW then take a strip of tape (approximately 12 inches long), set the tuna can on it hard enough to stick. TTW fold the edges of the towel in over the excess tape and press down to keep the towel folds in place.

TLW (the learner will) take 3 like-colored washers and toss them underhanded toward the tuna can (similar to horseshoes), trying to get the washers to land in or near the can. After the first learner is done, the second learner will toss their washers toward the can.

The other 2 learners will stand near the tuna can but not so close as to obstruct the tosses of their teammates nor be hit by an errant washer.

After the tosses are completed, the non-tossing learners will attempt to measure the distance each washer is from the closest edge of the can. The hard ruler is to be used for short distances and the string ruler for longer distances.

Activity:

Each team will get 6 turns tossing their washers toward the can. TLW alternate between tossing and measuring so each will get 3 turns tossing and 3 turns measuring.

The scoring will goes as follows:

 

Record the distance of each washer from the can (up to 24 inches). If the washer comes to rest more than 24 inches away from the can, record 24 inches for the toss. After all 3 tosses are recorded; add up the total in feet and inches to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. This will be your team total for the round. Repeat for total of 3 rounds per learner.

If a washer comes to rest leaning on the can but not in, no distance is recorded for the toss and 6 inches are deducted from the team total.

If a washer lands in the can and stays there, no distance is recorded for the toss and 12 inches are deducted from the team total!

Lowest total at the end of 6 rounds is declared the winner!

If the tosses are consistently coming to rest more than 24 inches away from the can, stop the activity and discuss ways the learners can adjust their tosses to achieve the results they are looking for. Discuss angle of toss, trajectory, and force on how each affects the washer. Then restart the activity from where they left off.

If there was no need to stop the activity for the above reasons, discuss the same information with the class after a winner has been declared.

Assessment/Evaluation:

• TTW monitor how the students follow directions and exhibit teamwork and good-sportsmanship.
• TTW ask various questions during the activity to check for understanding and promote inquiry.
• TTW hand out a worksheet after the activity with several word problems themed to the activity asking for the learner to add up various distances.

The worksheet will also have several multiple-choice questions themed to drawings depicting cause and effect of different types of tosses of the washers. These will be used to gauge the learners understanding of the discussion of angle, trajectory, and force.

Vocabulary Words: Angle, trajectory, force, measurement, feet, inch, gently, good-sportsmanship, teamwork

Extension: Repeat the activity except change measurements to metric.

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Washer Toss Assessment

1) The three (3) tosses from the red team were as follows:

6 7/8 inches, 14 ¼ inches, and 7 ½ inches.

What was the total of the red team’s tosses in feet and inches?

_____________________________

2) The three (3) tosses from the blue team were as follows:

24 inches, 3 5/8 inches, and 16 3/8 inches.

What was the total of the blue team’s tosses in feet and inches?

______________________________

3) Add the two totals from questions 1 & 2 to get one large total in feet and inches.

______________________________

4) If the player were to toss the washer FAST like shown in the drawing, would the washer most likely:

(circle your answer)

a) land short of the can

 

b) land near the can and stay

 

c) land past the can

5) If the player were to toss the washer GENTLY like shown in the drawing, would the washer most likely:

(circle your answer)

a) land short of the can

 

b) land near the can and stay

 

c) land past the can

6) If the player were to toss the washer WITH MUCH FORCE like shown in the drawing in question 5, would the washer most likely:

(circle your answer)

a) land short of the can

 

b) land near the can and stay

 

c) land past the can

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