Measuring Mania: Comparing Lengths with Centimeters!

Mathematics Grades 2nd Grade 4:56 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore the exciting world of measurement! In this lesson, we'll learn how to measure objects using centimeters and compare their lengths to see which is longer or shorter.

Video Resource

Comparing & Measuring Lengths | Math for 2nd Grade | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 4:56
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Length as a measurable attribute
  • Centimeters as a unit of measurement
  • Comparing lengths to determine which is longer or shorter

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to measure objects using a ruler or other measuring tool in centimeters.
  • Students will be able to compare the lengths of two or more objects and determine which is longer or shorter.
  • Students will be able to order objects from shortest to longest based on their measurements.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about measuring. Show different objects and ask them which they think is longer or shorter. Introduce the concept of centimeters as a standard unit of measurement.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the 'Comparing & Measuring Lengths | Math for 2nd Grade | Kids Academy' video. Encourage students to pay attention to how the objects are measured and compared in the video.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Provide each student with a ruler marked in centimeters. Have them measure various objects around the classroom (e.g., pencils, erasers, books). Guide them on how to properly align the ruler and read the measurement. Record the measurements on a worksheet.
  • Comparison Activity (10 mins)
    Pair students and have them compare the lengths of the objects they measured. Ask them to use comparative language such as 'longer than,' 'shorter than,' and 'equal to.' Have them order the objects from shortest to longest based on their measurements.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts of measuring and comparing lengths. Ask students what they learned and how they can use these skills in everyday life.

Interactive Exercises

  • Classroom Scavenger Hunt
    Give students a list of items to find in the classroom and measure. Then, they will write the length of each item in centimeters. For example: Find a book and measure its length. Find a crayon and measure its length. Compare the lengths.
  • Ordering Lengths
    Provide students with pictures of various objects and their corresponding lengths (in centimeters). Ask them to cut out the pictures and arrange them in order from shortest to longest.

Discussion Questions

  • What tools can we use to measure length?
  • Why is it important to use the same unit of measurement when comparing lengths?
  • Can you think of times when you need to measure things in your daily life?

Skills Developed

  • Measuring using centimeters
  • Comparing lengths
  • Using comparative language
  • Problem-solving
  • Ordering Numbers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What tool do we use to measure length?

Correct Answer: A ruler

Question 2:

Which is longer: 5 centimeters or 10 centimeters?

Correct Answer: 10 centimeters

Question 3:

What unit do we use to measure how long something is in the video?

Correct Answer: Centimeters

Question 4:

A pencil is 12 centimeters long and an eraser is 4 centimeters long. Which is shorter?

Correct Answer: The eraser

Question 5:

Which word means about the same size?

Correct Answer: Equal

Question 6:

A crayon is 8 centimeters, a marker is 10 centimeters, and a pencil is 15 centimeters. Which is the longest?

Correct Answer: The pencil

Question 7:

If a book is 20 centimeters long, and a notebook is 15 centimeters long, how much longer is the book than the notebook?

Correct Answer: 5 centimeters

Question 8:

Which of these is the shortest?

Correct Answer: 10 cm

Question 9:

What do we call the distance from one end of something to the other end?

Correct Answer: Length

Question 10:

If you measure two objects and they are both 10 centimeters long, what can you say about their length?

Correct Answer: They are equal in length

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We use a _________ to measure how long something is.

Correct Answer: ruler

Question 2:

__________ are a way to measure length.

Correct Answer: Centimeters

Question 3:

If one object is longer than another, we say it has more _________.

Correct Answer: length

Question 4:

8 centimeters is ________ than 5 centimeters.

Correct Answer: longer

Question 5:

When we measure, it's important to start at _________ on the ruler.

Correct Answer: zero

Question 6:

15 centimeters is _________ than 20 centimeters.

Correct Answer: shorter

Question 7:

If two things have the same length, they are _________.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 8:

The distance from one end to the other is called the _________.

Correct Answer: length

Question 9:

We can use a ruler to _________ things in our classroom.

Correct Answer: measure

Question 10:

If a book is 20 centimeters long and a pencil is 10 centimeters long, the book is _____ centimeters longer.

Correct Answer: 10

Educational Standards

2.GM.2:Understand length as a measurable attribute and explore capacity. 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. 2.N.1.7:Use place value to compare and order whole numbers up to 1,000 using comparative language, numbers, and symbols (e.g., 425 > 276, 73 < 107, page 351 comes after page 350, 753 is between 700 and 800).

Teaching Materials

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