Linear Measurement
Our new unit explores linear measurement using comparative language and nonstandard units. We will begin by exploring various non-standard units in our classroom to measure objects. Some non-standard units children will be using are paper clips, snap cubes, straws, pennies, popsicle sticks, their own hands and feet and many more. What they need to understand is that the non-standard unit must be the same size when measuring an object. They can not measure an object with paper clips of different sizes. The image below shows you the difference.
Keep in mind, measuring with small objects helps students build on stand units (e.g., centimetres and meters) and measuring tools such as rulers and measuring tapes. (Grade 2 concept)
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Student will become comfortable as to when to use the appropriate measuring term.
For example, a giraffe is tall, a pencil is long, a snake is long, I am tall.
We will even explore the terms wide and narrow.
They will have many opportunities to measure, compare, and describe length, height and width.
For example, a giraffe is tall, a pencil is long, a snake is long, I am tall.
We will even explore the terms wide and narrow.
They will have many opportunities to measure, compare, and describe length, height and width.
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Next, we will focus on developing the appropriate skills for measuring accurately. They will learn where to start and stop measuring, how to line up their measuring tool properly (so that there are no gaps or spaces), and what is an appropriate tool to use depending on the object. They will then record their finding using the appropriate measuring term and non-standard unit used.
This elephant is 11 snap cubes tall. |
The children will explore what happens when they use different measuring tools to measure the same object. They will discover that measuring their desk using paperclips results in a different count, than when they measure using straws. They will also discover that using straws is a more appropriate tool to use when measuring their desk. Once again the children will use appropriate mathematical language when discovering their findings (unit used and dimension).
My foot is 12 beans long. My foot is 4 yarn pieces long. My foot is 2 squares long. |
While the children are measuring, they will be encouraged to group their measuring tools in groups of 5s or 10s so counting can be easier. For example, when measuring the length of the classroom carpet, it is easier and faster to count 47 snapcubes by 10s then by 1s. Practice counting by 5s and 10s at home!
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As the students become comfortable with their measuring tools and measuring, they will start making good guesses (estimates) about the objects they measure and then measure to see how accurate their estimate was. This problem-solving strategy of guess and test will be strongly developed throughout this unit. We will engage in activities that encourage students to use what they know about previous measures to make a reasonable guess (estimate) in a new situations and then test it by measuring. Once again, they will be encouraged to use the appropriate math language when recording their findings (including the measuring tool and dimensions). My pumpkin is 12 snap cubes tall. |
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On-Line Measuring Games
Follow the links below for some online fun with measurement.
1. Long and Short http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/long-and-short
2. Tall and short http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/tall-and-short
3. Measure using objects http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/measure-using-objects
4. Fun with Clifford! http://pbskids.org/clifford/games/measuring_up.html
5. Great game for measuring using non-standard tools! http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/games/how_tall/how_tall.html
6. Estimate and Measure using non-standard tools. http://www.turtlediary.com/grade-1-games/math-games/estimate-and-measure-length.html
1. Long and Short http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/long-and-short
2. Tall and short http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/tall-and-short
3. Measure using objects http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-1/measure-using-objects
4. Fun with Clifford! http://pbskids.org/clifford/games/measuring_up.html
5. Great game for measuring using non-standard tools! http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/games/how_tall/how_tall.html
6. Estimate and Measure using non-standard tools. http://www.turtlediary.com/grade-1-games/math-games/estimate-and-measure-length.html
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Measuring At Home
Here are some activities you can try at home with your child.
1. Use everyday activities to compare and describe lengths, heights and widths of objects. Ask questions such as: Will this box fit on the shelf? How much ribbon do we need to wrap this present? How can we put these books on the shelf in order of height?
2. Use measurements to solve mysteries about people in your household. Find out who is the tallest, who has the shortest foot, and so on. Encourage your child to suggest a way to solve each mystery.
3. Have your child make a personal measuring tape by linking 10 paperclips together. Go on a scavenger hunt to find things that are longer, shorter, and about the same length as the paperclip measuring tape.
4. Have them choose a non-standard tool at home (pasta, blocks, lego, straws) to estimate and measure objects of their choice around the house. Remember to measure using the correct dimension. My toy robot is tall. My house is wide. Maybe they will take on the challenge of measuring the length and width of their bedroom and other rooms around the house!
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
1. Use everyday activities to compare and describe lengths, heights and widths of objects. Ask questions such as: Will this box fit on the shelf? How much ribbon do we need to wrap this present? How can we put these books on the shelf in order of height?
2. Use measurements to solve mysteries about people in your household. Find out who is the tallest, who has the shortest foot, and so on. Encourage your child to suggest a way to solve each mystery.
3. Have your child make a personal measuring tape by linking 10 paperclips together. Go on a scavenger hunt to find things that are longer, shorter, and about the same length as the paperclip measuring tape.
4. Have them choose a non-standard tool at home (pasta, blocks, lego, straws) to estimate and measure objects of their choice around the house. Remember to measure using the correct dimension. My toy robot is tall. My house is wide. Maybe they will take on the challenge of measuring the length and width of their bedroom and other rooms around the house!
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
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You Tube Clips
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