This lesson integrates ideas from geometry, measurement, and algebra. Students measure the length and width of a rectangle using at least six different standard and nonstandard units of measure. Then they plot the (length, width) ordered pairs on the usual coordinate axes. Their challenge is to discover that the ordered pairs fall along a straight line whose slope represents the constant ratio of width to length regardless of the unit of measure. An activity sheet, discussion questions, suggestions for assessment, lesson extensions, and questions for teacher reflection are included. (sw)

This best practice lesson can be useful to the mathematics teacher working with career-technical students because it combines concepts from geometry, measurement, and algebra that have real world applications. The lesson allows students to use a hand-on approach to measurement with both standard and non-standard units and to explore the meaning of slope and constant ratio as displayed on a graph. (jrs)