Math Fun - Make a Measuring Wheel

A Measuring Wheel, sometimes called a Trundle Wheel, is a simple
tool for measuring.

Here is a great way to combine MATH and a CRAFT ACTIVITY. Plus this Measuring Wheel can be used when doing lots of SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS.

A Measuring Wheel is great when measuring things that are longer than a tape measure, yardstick, or meter stick and also for things that aren't straight!

A Measuring Wheel also encourages kids to use addition, multiplication, and other math skills while having fun! Students can have fun using the measuring wheel indoors or outdoors!

Materials

• heavy duty plastic plate or other round object
• tape measure
• marker
• large fastener
• ruler/yardstick/meter stick with a hole at one end

Directions

• Decide if you want to make an inch or cm. measuring wheel.
• Use a tape measure to measure the outside edge of your wheel (the circumference). My large plastic plate was 32 inches.
• Make a large arrow on the wheel (plate) to indicate the starting point.
• Mark off the plate in inches or centimeters, if desired.
• Make a small hole in the center of the plate.
• Attach the handle (ruler) with a large paper fastener. I used a ruler that had a hole at one end. My husband made a hole in the Home Depot yardstick that cost me 77 cents!
• Now you have a great math and science tool!
• Next choose something that you want to measure!
• Place the arrow on the plate at your starting point.
• Use the arrow on the plate to count the number of times the plate turns.
• When done measuring, multiply the number of times the plate turned by the circumference. Addition can be used instead of multiplication if desired.
• Older students can convert their measurement from cm. or inches to meters or yards.

Have fun with math and measurement!