MA 7.03Measuring with Non-Standard Units
The child measures objects with identical units, such as cubes or paper clips laid end to end with no gaps, and records how many.
Age 5Work 3 of 6 in Measurement, Time, and Money
Presentation
- 1
Lay a pencil on the table. Place cubes along it, starting at one end, touching each other with no gaps.
- 2
Stop where the pencil ends. Count the cubes: 'The pencil is seven cubes long.'
- 3
Show a wrong way with gaps between the cubes, and ask the child what is wrong.
- 4
The child measures a book and records the object and the count.
- 5
Measure the same pencil with paper clips. Discuss why the count is different.
- 6
The child measures three objects and says which is longest using the counts.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Measure with hand spans and foot lengths, and compare with a friend's measurement.
- Measure around objects with string, then measure the string.
- Make a list of objects that are about ten cubes long.
Control of error
Two children measuring the same object with the same unit must get the same count; a different count shows gaps or overlaps.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Lays units end to end with no gaps or overlaps
- Records measurements correctly
- Explains why a smaller unit gives a larger count