Terumah- Scale Representation & Unit Conversion Acitivities

In Parshat Terumah, we are given blueprints for multiple sections of the Mishkan (the Holy Tabernacle that traveled with the Israelites in the desert). Together with Rashi and other commentaries, this parsha offers a wealth of information for understanding the specifics of how the Mishkan was put together. Below is a breakdown of the basic blueprint sections that are described in the parsha:

• blueprints for the Aron & its lid ~Shemot 25:10-22
• blueprints for the Shulchan (table) & information about the vessels that were stored in the Shulchan ~Shemot 25:23-30
• blueprints for the Menorah ~Shemot 25:31-40
• blueprints for the Tabernacle-spread ~Shemot 26:1-6
• blueprints for the Tent-spread (laid over the Tabernacle-spread) ~Shemot 26:7-13
• blueprints for the Tent-spread Cover (a roof covering) ~Shemot 26:14
• blueprints for the Beams & Bars of the Mishkan ~Shemot 26:15-30
• blueprints for the Parochet (a curtain/screen that enclosed the Aron as a separation) ~Shemot 26:31-33
• instructions regarding locations of each item in the Mishkan ~Shemot 26:34-35
• blueprints for the screen at the entrance of the Mishkan ~Shemot 26:36-37
• blueprints for the Mizbe'ach (altar) ~Shemot 27:1-8
• blueprints for the Courtyard area of the Mishkan ~Shemot 27:9-19

Each individual section listed above offers specific dimensions, information about materials that were used, and instructions about positioning of aspects or details pertaining to each section. With these basic blueprints, there is a plethora of activity options that can be developed. Below are a few suggestions specifically connected to the concepts of scale representation and unit conversion.

Activity Connections:

Activity ideas in increasing conceptual difficulty:

Activity suggestions can be used on a small scale for individual sections of the parsha or on a larger scale as a more extensive project recreating multiple or all sections of the Mishkan.

Younger students rely very heavily on visual learning. Even for older students, when learning about 3-Dimensional figures, it's always clearer for them if they can view or build a model for reference. 

Scale Representation:

• For younger students, providing them with a preset block size to represent the scale conversion will allow them to just focus on the construction aspect of the activity. For example, choosing a unifix cube or snap cube to be equivalent to 1 amah in each direction. Be careful in choosing a representative cube- students will need to measure length, width, and height. Keep in mind that in order to give a true representation the height of the cube will need to be the same measure as both the length and the width (ie, it must be a true cube in order to represent an amah in every direction). With a good number of the chosen block and the directions for the chosen Mishkan item to be built, students can work on building a scale model of the chosen section(s) of the Mishkan.
• Younger students will need a lot of guidance in this project. Some options are either working cooperatively in small groups with teacher guidance, or having a teacher run an activity station where students can each rotate in and work on a portion of the building activity. Students with more skill, can work individually or in groups with less teacher support to follow the blueprints and build the chosen model(s).
• (3-5) Elementary students who have familiarity with measuring using rulers and yardsticks can use other representative materials to build a model by setting a scale of, for example, 1 inch = 1 amah. Using this equivalency, students can measure out pieces of poster, cardboard, etc. to create pieces to fit together to build chosen items from the Mishkan. 
• (6-8+) As students develop their fine motor dexterity, they can draw scale representations of the items in the Mishkan, layout of the Mishkan, etc. 

Unit Conversions:

(See posts on Parshat Chayei Sarah and Parshat Shelach for understanding unit conversions.)

• Understanding different measurement systems within the parameters of familiar measurements gives students a better understanding and frame of reference for size of items. Older students can use the blueprints given and calculate what the measurements for different items would be if measured in US/Imperial or metric units. (for reference, 1 amah = between 18-24 inches)
• With blueprints converted into familiar measurements, students can model aspects of the items (height, length) for visual reference, or even build life-size models of sections of the Mishkan to give a full perspective of, for example, what the Shulchan looked like, or what the Aron looked like if you were standing next to it.