Let's Explore Length! Comparing and Measuring Fun!

Math Grades 1st Grade 2:59 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to compare the lengths of different objects and measure them using smaller objects as units! Get ready for a fun adventure in measurement!

Video Resource

Comparing & Measuring Lengths - 1st Grade Math (1.MD.A.1 and 1.MD.A.2)

Boddle Learning

Duration: 2:59
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Comparing Lengths: Identifying which object is longer, shorter, or taller.
  • Measuring Lengths: Using smaller, identical objects as units to measure the length of a larger object.
  • Iteration: Understanding that the length measurement is the number of same-size units that fit end-to-end without gaps or overlaps.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to order three objects by length (longest to shortest or tallest to shortest).
  • Students will be able to measure the length of an object using multiple copies of a shorter object as a unit of length.
  • Students will understand that the number of units used to measure an object represents its length.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about measuring things. Show them different objects (e.g., pencils, erasers, books) and ask them to point out which is longer or shorter. Introduce the video by Boddle Learning, explaining that it will teach them more about comparing and measuring lengths.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Boddle Learning video: "Comparing & Measuring Lengths - 1st Grade Math (1.MD.A.1 and 1.MD.A.2)". Encourage students to pay attention to how Emma compares the buildings and ships, and how different objects are used to measure the car, airplane, and ladder.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    After watching the video, review the key concepts. Ask students questions about the video, such as: 'Which building was the tallest?', 'What did Emma use to measure the car?' Lead a discussion about using the same size objects to measure. Have students practice comparing items around the classroom, asking which is longer, shorter, or taller.
  • Hands-on Activity (15 mins)
    Provide each student (or small group) with various objects like crayons, blocks, or paperclips. Have them measure the length of their desk or a book using these objects. Remind them to line up the objects end-to-end without gaps or overlaps. Ask them to count how many units they used and compare their results with their classmates. For example, "My book is 10 crayons long.".
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the learning objectives and key concepts. Ask students what they learned about comparing and measuring lengths. Have them share their experiences from the hands-on activity. Emphasize the importance of using the same-size units when measuring.

Interactive Exercises

  • Comparing Objects
    Give students a set of three objects (e.g., pencil, eraser, ruler) and ask them to order the objects from shortest to longest. Have them explain their reasoning.
  • Measuring with Units
    Provide students with a worksheet containing pictures of objects (e.g., a line, a crayon, a shoe). Have them measure each object using a provided unit (e.g., paperclips, blocks) and record the length in units.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important to use the same size objects when measuring something?
  • What are some other things we could use to measure the length of objects?
  • Can you think of a time when you needed to compare the lengths of two things?

Skills Developed

  • Comparing lengths
  • Measuring lengths
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Number Sense

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which is longer, a crayon or a pencil?

Correct Answer: Pencil

Question 2:

If you use blocks to measure a table, what are the blocks called?

Correct Answer: Units

Question 3:

Which is shorter, a book or a piece of paper?

Correct Answer: Piece of paper

Question 4:

What do you use to measure how long something is?

Correct Answer: Units

Question 5:

If a toy car is 5 blocks long, and a toy truck is 7 blocks long, which one is longer?

Correct Answer: Truck

Question 6:

What do we call something that we use to measure things with?

Correct Answer: All of the above

Question 7:

If you are measuring your desk with erasers, what is important to remember?

Correct Answer: Use the same size erasers and no gaps

Question 8:

Which one is taller, a house or a tree?

Correct Answer: It depends

Question 9:

A pencil measures 6 paperclips long, and a book measures 9 paperclips long. Which is shorter?

Correct Answer: The pencil

Question 10:

What can we say about measurement if we overlap the units of measure?

Correct Answer: It is not accurate

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We use _______ to see which thing is longer or shorter.

Correct Answer: measuring

Question 2:

A _______ is a small thing we use to measure.

Correct Answer: unit

Question 3:

If you measure with blocks, count how many _______ it takes.

Correct Answer: blocks

Question 4:

When measuring, don't leave _______ between the units.

Correct Answer: gaps

Question 5:

Lining up same size paper clips is useful when _______.

Correct Answer: measuring

Question 6:

You can measure the length of your book with _______.

Correct Answer: erasers

Question 7:

The number of units tell you the _______ of something.

Correct Answer: length

Question 8:

Before you measure you need to pick your _______.

Correct Answer: unit

Question 9:

When you are counting while measuring, you are counting the _______.

Correct Answer: units

Question 10:

A ruler helps us measure with _______ units

Correct Answer: standard

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. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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