Estimating Length: Inches, Feet, and Yards!

Mathematics Grades 2nd Grade 6:35 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

Learn how to estimate length using inches, feet, and yards! This lesson helps you understand these units of measurement and use everyday objects as references.

Video Resource

Inches, Feet and Yards - Estimating Length | Measurement for Kids | 2nd Grade Math

Kids Academy

Duration: 6:35
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Inch as a unit of measurement
  • Foot as a unit of measurement (12 inches)
  • Yard as a unit of measurement (3 feet)
  • Estimating length using references

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify objects that are approximately one inch, one foot, and one yard long.
  • Students will be able to estimate the length of various objects using inches, feet, and yards.
  • Students will be able to understand the relationship between inches, feet, and yards.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about measuring things. Ask them what tools they might use. Introduce the idea of estimating length when precise tools aren't available. Briefly explain that they'll be learning about inches, feet, and yards.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Kids Academy video 'Inches, Feet and Yards - Estimating Length | Measurement for Kids | 2nd Grade Math.' Encourage students to pay attention to the examples of what is about an inch, a foot, and a yard long.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a discussion about the concepts presented. Ask students what objects they remember being used as references for inches, feet, and yards. Reinforce the relationships: 12 inches = 1 foot, and 3 feet = 1 yard.
  • Activity: Estimating Length in the Classroom (15 mins)
    Have students work in pairs or small groups. Provide a list of classroom objects (e.g., pencil, book, desk, whiteboard). Ask them to estimate the length of each object in inches, feet, or yards. After they make their estimates, have them measure the objects with rulers or yardsticks (if available) to check their accuracy. Discuss the differences between their estimates and the actual measurements.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of inches, feet, and yards. Ask students to share what they learned about estimating length. Reiterate the importance of having reference points for making reasonable estimates.

Interactive Exercises

  • Measurement Scavenger Hunt
    Create a list of items for students to find in the classroom or at home that are approximately one inch, one foot, and one yard long. Students can draw pictures or write descriptions of the items they find.
  • Estimating Station
    Set up a station with various objects. Students estimate the length of each object and then measure it to check their estimate.

Discussion Questions

  • What is something small that is about one inch long?
  • What is something that is about one foot long?
  • What is something big that is about one yard long?
  • Why is it useful to be able to estimate length?

Skills Developed

  • Estimation
  • Measurement
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is about 1 inch long?

Correct Answer: A bottle cap

Question 2:

How many inches are in 1 foot?

Correct Answer: 12 inches

Question 3:

Which of these is about 1 foot long?

Correct Answer: A hammer

Question 4:

How many feet are in 1 yard?

Correct Answer: 3 feet

Question 5:

Which of these is about 1 yard wide?

Correct Answer: A door

Question 6:

If you want to measure how tall your friend is, which unit would you use?

Correct Answer: Feet

Question 7:

Which is longer: 1 foot or 6 inches?

Correct Answer: 1 foot

Question 8:

If you put 3 feet together, how many yards do you have?

Correct Answer: 1 yard

Question 9:

If a table is 2 yards long, how many feet long is it?

Correct Answer: 6 feet

Question 10:

Which unit of measurement is the smallest?

Correct Answer: Inches

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A bottle cap is about one _____ long.

Correct Answer: inch

Question 2:

There are 12 _____ in one foot.

Correct Answer: inches

Question 3:

A door's width is about one _____.

Correct Answer: yard

Question 4:

There are 3 _____ in one yard.

Correct Answer: feet

Question 5:

We can _____ how long things are if we don't have a ruler.

Correct Answer: estimate

Question 6:

A _____ is about the same size as 12 inches.

Correct Answer: foot

Question 7:

If something is very, very small, you might measure it in _____.

Correct Answer: inches

Question 8:

The width of a door is a good way to imagine the length of a _____.

Correct Answer: yard

Question 9:

1 yard is longer than 1 _____.

Correct Answer: foot

Question 10:

A _____ is a tool you can use to measure inches, feet, and yards.

Correct Answer: ruler

Educational Standards

2.GM.2:Understand length as a measurable attribute and explore capacity. 2.GM.2.1:Explain the relationship between the size of the unit of measurement and the number of units needed to measure the length of an object. 2.GM.2.2:Explain the relationship between length and the numbers on a ruler by using a ruler to measure lengths to the nearest whole unit.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans