Essential Question for students (objective):  How can you use proportions in real world problems using measurement conversions?
Supplies: video (length 0:50), note-maker

Time needed:  10 minutes +

CCSS: 7.RP.1, MP #2 Reason Quantitatively TEKS: 7.4 F Solve Real-world problems
 
Instructional Format: Video, student problem-solving, group or individual work

Lesson Description: There are many ways to use this video in your math class.  I filmed it with the express purpose of using ratios and proportions with measurement conversions in a real-world setting.  This is also a great opportunity to apply proportions in a multi-step problem.

1) You can show this video (0:50) at the beginning of a unit on proportions (dimensional analysis) as a hook that will keep the students interested in learning about proportions.  You can have them work on the problem at the end of daily lessons (or once a week) armed with new knowledge that they are exploring in class.  Students use the note-maker to help record their problem-solving work.  Or you could revisit the video at the end of the unit as a formative check to see what the students have learned about using proportions and whether they can apply that knowledge.

2) You could show this video as a warm-up activity after the students have learned some basic proportion computation.  It is a great way to show context to math that connects to the world we live in.

Extensions:  What mathematical and architectural considerations does a building of this unique shape and size present?  Why aren’t more buildings this shape?