This lesson teaches measuring with inches, feet, and centimeters while using rulers, tape measures, and yardsticks. Students will compare sizes of objects as well as practice selecting the proper unit when measuring an object. (Most appropriate for grade levels K-2.)
Lesson Time: 65 minutes
Student Activity 1: This activity allows students the opportunity to use rulers, tape measures, and yardsticks. During this activity we also talk with the students about “starting at 0” with a ruler, and then challenge them to find a few things in the classroom that are best measured with each of these tools.
Student Activity 2: Students will need scissors and glue for this activity. They will create a Measurement Monster, designing it with whatever shapes, colors, and sizes they would like. After their creation is completed, they will measure different parts of their monster, and fill out a worksheet that would make a great classroom display.
Group work: Students will work in groups of 2-3 students. In order to save time, teachers are asked to create the groups before our Wizard arrives.
Math Standards:
K.MD.2: Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common to see which object has “more of” or “less of” the attribute and describe the difference.
1.MD.1: Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.
1.MD.2: Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps.
2.MD.1: Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
2.MD.2: Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths for the two measurements; describe how the two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen.
2.MD.3: Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
2.MD.4: Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard-length unit.