Measuring Length with Snap Cubes!

Math Grades 1st Grade 4:39 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore how to measure the length of different objects using snap cubes and compare which ones are longer or shorter!

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #61 Comparing Length & Measuring Length Using Nonstandard Units

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 4:39
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Length is how long something is.
  • Measuring length using non-standard units (snap cubes).
  • Comparing lengths to determine which object is longer or shorter.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to measure the length of objects using snap cubes.
  • Students will be able to compare the lengths of two or more objects and determine which is longer or shorter.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by watching the YouTube video 'Grade 1: Math Lesson #61 Comparing Length & Measuring Length Using Nonstandard Units'. Discuss with students what 'length' means.
  • Measuring with Snap Cubes (10 mins)
    Explain that today, they will be measuring things using snap cubes. Demonstrate how to measure an object by placing snap cubes end-to-end along its length. Emphasize that there should be no gaps or overlaps.
  • Comparing Lengths (10 mins)
    Measure two different objects. Count and write down how many snap cubes long each object is. Ask students which object is longer and which is shorter. Explain that comparing means looking at how they are alike or different.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Have students choose 3-5 objects in their environment (e.g., pencil, book, crayon). They will measure the length of each object using snap cubes and record their findings.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the concepts of length, measuring with snap cubes, and comparing lengths. Ask students to share what they measured and which object was the longest/shortest.

Interactive Exercises

  • Length Scavenger Hunt
    Hide objects around the room. Have students find them and measure their length with snap cubes. After measuring, they should order the objects from shortest to longest.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to measure the length of something?
  • Why is it important to make sure the snap cubes are touching end-to-end when measuring?
  • How can we tell which object is longer after we measure them?

Skills Developed

  • Measuring length using non-standard units
  • Comparing and ordering objects by length
  • Problem-solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'length' mean?

Correct Answer: How long something is

Question 2:

We can use ______ to measure length.

Correct Answer: Snap cubes

Question 3:

If a pencil is 5 snap cubes long and a crayon is 3 snap cubes long, which is longer?

Correct Answer: The pencil

Question 4:

When measuring, should the snap cubes have gaps?

Correct Answer: No

Question 5:

What does 'compare' mean?

Correct Answer: To see how things are alike or different

Question 6:

A book is 8 snap cubes long. A toy car is 4 snap cubes long. Which is shorter?

Correct Answer: The toy car

Question 7:

If you measure a sweet treat, what could it be?

Correct Answer: A candy cane

Question 8:

When measuring, should the snap cubes overlap each other?

Correct Answer: No

Question 9:

A marker is 6 snap cubes long and a glue stick is 2 snap cubes long. Which item is longer?

Correct Answer: Marker

Question 10:

What should you measure?

Correct Answer: All of the above

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

_______ is how long something is.

Correct Answer: Length

Question 2:

We can use _____ _____ to measure length.

Correct Answer: snap cubes

Question 3:

To ______ means to see how things are alike or different.

Correct Answer: compare

Question 4:

When measuring length make sure the snap cubes _______ end-to-end

Correct Answer: touch

Question 5:

A toy car is 7 snap cubes long. A pencil is 9 snap cubes long. The _______ is longer.

Correct Answer: pencil

Question 6:

When measuring you should not leave ______ between cubes.

Correct Answer: gaps

Question 7:

Length can be measured with _______.

Correct Answer: blocks

Question 8:

When snap cubes cover the entire object it is ______.

Correct Answer: measured

Question 9:

A marker is 8 cubes. A book is 10 cubes. The marker is ________ than the book.

Correct Answer: shorter

Question 10:

When comparing, you can find how they are _______ and different.

Correct Answer: alike

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.1:Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object. CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.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. Limit to contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.

Teaching Materials

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