Measuring Fun: Let's Explore Length!

Math Grades 1st Grade 2:53 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to measure objects using different units and discover why the unit matters!

Video Resource

Measuring lengths with different units | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 2:53
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Measuring length
  • Using different units of measurement
  • The relationship between unit size and the number of units needed

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to measure the length of an object using non-standard units.
  • Students will be able to explain why using different units results in different measurements for the same object.
  • Students will be able to compare the number of units needed when using different sized units.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students about things they have measured before (e.g., height, a table). Discuss why measuring is important. Introduce the idea that we can use different things to measure, like paperclips or blocks.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the Khan Academy video 'Measuring lengths with different units'. Encourage students to pay attention to how the objects are measured and how the unit size affects the number of units needed.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, discuss what they saw. Ask: 'What did they use to measure? Did they get the same number when they used different things? Why or why not?' Guide students to understand that smaller units require more of them to cover the same length.
  • Independent Practice (15 mins)
    Give each student a worksheet with pictures of objects and different non-standard units (e.g., paperclips, erasers, blocks). Have them measure the objects using the provided units and record their measurements.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts. Ask students to share their findings and explain why they got different measurements for the same object.

Interactive Exercises

  • Measuring with Shoes
    Have students measure the length of the classroom using their own shoes. Then, have them measure the same length using a teacher's shoe. Discuss the differences in the number of shoes needed and why.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some things you can use to measure length?
  • Why do we get different numbers when we measure the same thing with different objects?
  • If you use a very small object to measure, will you need a lot or a little of them?

Skills Developed

  • Measuring
  • Comparing
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

If you measure a table with big blocks, and then with small blocks, which will you need more of?

Correct Answer: Small blocks

Question 2:

Which of these could you use to measure how long a book is?

Correct Answer: Paperclips

Question 3:

If you use more small units to measure, does that mean the thing you are measuring is...

Correct Answer: Longer

Question 4:

What do we call the things we use to measure (like paperclips or blocks)?

Correct Answer: Units

Question 5:

If you measured a crayon with small erasers and big erasers, which would have a bigger number?

Correct Answer: Small erasers

Question 6:

Which is the best tool to measure how long your desk is?

Correct Answer: A ruler

Question 7:

If you use lots of little buttons to measure your toy car, will the number be big or small?

Correct Answer: Big

Question 8:

If you are measuring your pencil with paperclips and you use exactly 5, and you measured it again with erasers and used exactly 5, which is longer?

Correct Answer: You can't tell

Question 9:

If two friends measure the same table, and one uses BIG building blocks and another uses little lego blocks, what would they see?

Correct Answer: The Lego blocks would need more to measure the table

Question 10:

Why is it important to use the SAME sized units when measuring?

Correct Answer: So the measurement is accurate

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

When we measure things, we use different _________.

Correct Answer: units

Question 2:

A small unit means you need _________ of them to measure something.

Correct Answer: more

Question 3:

Measuring tells us how _________ something is.

Correct Answer: long

Question 4:

Paperclips and blocks can be used as _________ to measure.

Correct Answer: units

Question 5:

If you use big steps to measure a room, you will take _________ steps.

Correct Answer: fewer

Question 6:

We use ______ to find out how long something is.

Correct Answer: measuring

Question 7:

If I use very tiny units to measure, I need to use ______.

Correct Answer: more

Question 8:

The units have to be the _________ size for an accurate measure.

Correct Answer: same

Question 9:

Using different _____ to measure the same object gives different answers.

Correct Answer: units

Question 10:

Using standard and reliable tools help keep your _______ accurate.

Correct Answer: measurement

Educational Standards

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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Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz Export to Google Docs
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