Metric System

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Barbara J. Feldman

Here in the states, we're stuck between two measurement systems: the U.S. standard of inches, feet, yards, miles, ounces and pounds, and the decimal-based metric system. How big is the bottle of soda you're bringing to the class party? It's two liters. But that can of soda you drink after school? It's twelve ounces! Learn more about metrification at the following sites, and you'll be ready to celebrate National Metric Week next month October 9 -15.

AAA Math: Measurements

4 stars

I really like the AAA Math site, but sometimes their choice of background colors is simply terrible. So, ignoring the bright red and orange pages, you'll want to visit their Measurements page for K-8 lessons and interactive quizzes on metric prefixes (such as "kilo", "hecto" and "deca"), symbols, and values. And more lessons and quizzes on metric mass, length, volume and temperature.

Convert Me: Metric Conversions

5 stars

Convert-me.com provides interactive metric conversion calculators for over a thousand units and measurements. For example, to convert five ounces to metric, begin by navigating to the weight page. Then scroll down until you see the unit you know (ounces) and enter "5" into the calculator field. On the Metric Conversions home page, you'll find a handy chart of twenty-one metric prefixes, and a brief history of the metric system.

MSN Encarta: Metric System

4 stars

"One way to visualize a meter is to think of the distance from the floor to the top of a doorknob, or the distance from the edge of an adult's shoulder to the end of the opposite outstretched arm." This two-page Encarta encyclopedia article covers both the history of the metric system, and its usage. To explore related articles (such as "International System of Units") you will need to activate a free two-hour Encarta pass by entering Encarta through an MSN Search page.

NIST: Metric Measures

5 stars

My pick of the day site, published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has a handful of unique goodies. First is the printable, cut-and- fold Metric Pyramid, which is covered on all four sides with various handy metric conversions. Other noteworthy clicks are Metric Fast Facts for Sports, a metric chocolate-chip cookie recipe, and a link list of online conversion tools. "Diving off the 10-meter diving platform is similar to diving from the roof of a three-story building." Well, not really. One lands you in the deep-end of a swimming pool, and the other ... Oh well, never mind.

U.S. Metric Association

5 stars

The best education clicks at the U.S. Metric Association site are found in two sections: "Metric System Information" and "Metric System Information for Teachers/Educators." Scroll down the front page to find links to both. Be sure to find the printable metric flash cards, the Decimal Nature of Metric System, and the Metric Patrol Worksheets (look in "Suggestion to Teachers.") Other clicks worth exploring are the FAQs and the History and Background articles.