Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 2: Natural Patterns and Permaculture Design 69

Field activity : Methods for measuring and right angles

Method : Trial of simple measuring and right angle techniques

Tools : Tape measure and marking materials

Objective : Participants learn simple ways of measuring for making maps

Measure out 100m with a tape measure and get the participants to walk it and count

their paces. Each participant will then know how many of their personal paces equals

100m.

Suggest other measurements such as using their arms, feet, hand lengths, sticks, lengths

of rope, etc.

Ask the participants to suggest other local methods for measuring.

To make accurate maps we need to be able to calculate and identify right angles because

right angles help us to identify the actual size and shape of the area.

With the participants, practice the simple method to measuring right angles (90°)

described below:

1. Stand on the land that you want to map.


2. Pace out and measure a line, preferably on an edge of the land.


3. Mark out the line with stakes and string (line 1).


4. Stand at the end of the line with one arm outstretched along the line.


5. Stretch out your other arm in the exact opposite direction.


6. Looking ahead, your face will be at about a 90° angle to the line and your
   outstretched arms.


7. Bring your hands together, still outstretched, directly in front of your face.


8. Keep your hands together and look between your thumbs.


9. Pick out a landmark that is directly in your line of vision, such as a tree or a rock.


10. Mark out the point where you are standing with a stake.


11. Use string to draw another line between this stake and the landmark (line 2).


12. The angle between line 1 and line 2 will be very close to a 90° angle.

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