Usain Bolt and Superman have something in common—speed! A video of one of Bolt's races introduces young scholars to the concept of unit rate. Using data from the race, the narrator calculates a unit rate in kilometers per hour, which another video verifies.

Concepts

speed, distance, time, unit conversions, unit rates

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask learners to predict their speeds when running; take them to the track to collect data and calculate their unit rates
• Expand the lesson to include a conversion to miles per hour, a possibly more familiar unit of speed

Classroom Considerations

• Some pupils may not be familiar with Usain Bolt and would benefit from an explanation of his talents

Pros

• Uses video analysis as a means of collecting relevant data
• Includes an extension for early finishers

Cons

• None

Common Core

6.RP.A.3.b