What should Ms. Weikel do to help her students remember metric unit prefixes?

Teaching students a helpful mnemonic device is an effective strategy for helping them remember metric unit prefixes. Mnemonics are memory aids that use patterns, phrases, or associations to simplify complex information. Since the metric system uses a standardized set of prefixes such as kilo-, centi-, and milli-, a mnemonic can help students recall the order and meaning of these prefixes more easily. For example, a commonly used mnemonic for the metric prefixes is "King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk," where each word corresponds to a prefix (kilo-, hecto-, deca-, base unit, deci-, centi-, milli-).

By using a mnemonic, students are more likely to retain the information in a fun and engaging way, making it stick in their memory. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the metric system, as students not only learn the prefixes but also how they relate to one another. In contrast, having students write an essay, complete long worksheets, or take frequent quizzes may not promote the same level of engagement or retention in learning about metric prefixes.