Measurement

We are currently measuring using non-standard measurements. Measuring with non-standard units means measuring things with blocks, pencils, hands, feet, etc. As long as the items used to measure with are all the same size, e.g. identical blocks or brand new pencils, they are suitable to use.

We have been working on estimating, measuring, recording, and comparing our height and length both now and when we were a baby. Some of the activities that we have been doing are:

• Measuring each other using unifix cubes, paper strips, string and creating a class graph
• Measuring various things around the classroom and recording the results
• “Size hunt” around the classroom, searching for objects that are bigger or smaller than a given object.
• Measuring a single item with different units then exploring/discussing why the results are different. Estimating, then measuring and recording the results.

Some ideas to link in learning at home are:

• Count how many feet long a room or hallway is.
• Play size “I Spy”. For example, “I spy something that is taller than a chair but shorter than a house.”
• Use hands, feet, paper clips anything as long as they are all the same size to measure anything in the house - just let the kids loose :)