GED 2002 Teachers' Handbook of Lesson Plans

Activity Title- Is It Cold?

Area/Skill – Math, LA Reading

Cognitive Skill Level – Analysis and Application

Activity Title Is It Cold?

Goal/Objective

Students will learn how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit.

Lesson Outline/Introduction

Begin by discussing that the GED Math Test requires you to do conversions. To do conversion you need to be able to add, subtract, and multiply, plus the use of a formula.

Activity

Teach students how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:

1. Ask students to think of temperature in Fahrenheit
2. Have them add 40 to that number.
3. Multiply the new number by .555554. Then subtract 40

Teach the students to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit

1. Ask student to think of a temperature in Celsius.
2. Have them add 40 to that number.
3. Multiply the new number by 1.8.4. Then subtract 40

Debriefing/Evaluation Activity

Have students complete Handout - Baby It's Cold Outside! And share answers with the class.

Materials, Texts, Realia, Handouts

Handout - "Baby It's Cold Outside"
Paper and pencil
Calculators
Celsius and Fahrenheit thermometers

Extension Activity

Using the Internet research the history of Celsius and Fahrenheit. Then have the student write a short essay on what they discovered about the history of the two measures and how they are both used today.

ESE Accommodations

Have the students work in pairs.
Write the formulas down for converting Fahrenheit and Celsius on an index card.
Allow additional time to complete the assignment.
Provide calculators.

Real-Life Connection

When is Fahrenheit used? When is Celsius used? Have the class research the different ways in which these two measures are used. Then brainstorm the use of the measurements in the area of earth science, math, and even in weather reports.

Area/Skill – Math, LA Reading

Cognitive Skill Level – Analysis and Application

Activity Title
Objective

Say: You will see the term Celsius and Fahrenheit on the GED Math Test. You will also need to know how to convert these terms.

Ask: What is Celsius? What is Fahrenheit? How do you convert one to the other?

Say: The conversion is quite easy. All you need to know is how to add, subtract, multiply, and use a formula. Let me show you how it is done.

Main Activity

Say: This is how you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Think of a temperature in Fahrenheit. (Write the temperature on the board.)
Now, you will add 40 to that number. (Do the calculations on the board.)
Multiply the new number by .55555 which is simply a decimal point followed five fives. (Do the calculation on the board.)
Then you subtract 40 and you are done making the conversion.

To change Celsius to Fahrenheit you do this process.

Think of a temperature in Celsius. (Write the temperature on the board.)
Now, you will add 40 to that number. (Do the calculation.)
Multiply the new number by 1.8. (Do the calculations on the board.)
Then you subtract 40 and you have finished.

Distribute the Handout- Baby It's Cold Outside!

Closure/Conclusion

Have students share answers and explain how they figured out their answers. Then you may discuss how Celsius and Fahrenheit are used in different areas of science, math, and weather.

Follow-up Lessons/Activities

Research the "invention" of Celsius and Fahrenheit and their uses today. Students may also conduct a search of the terms on the Internet in order to find additional information. Students should present their finding to the class.

***Handout - Baby, It's Cold Outside - Temperature Conversion***

The formula F=C 9/5+32 is used to convert a given Celsius (C) temperature to its Fahrenheit equivalent.

The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius. What is the Fahrenheit boiling point of water?
What two operations are used in the formula F=C 9/5+32?
Complete the table below using the formula.

Celsius	Fahrenheit
-30	-22
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50

4. The table below lists the high temperatures for the first week of December in Orlando, Florida. Complete the table.

Celsius	Fahrenheit
25
25
30
29
27
26
25

5. What was the average high temperature for the one-week period?

6. What temperature would you predict for December 20th? Explain your answer.

7. Transform the above formula to solve for Celsius given the Fahrenheit temperature. Check your table with your values in the above tables.

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