Measuring with Informal Units
Count the Hand Spans
Count the hand-span pictures along each object. Write how many hand spans long it is.
Count the Blocks
Count the blocks placed along each object. Write the number.
Count the Paper Clips
Count the paper clips along each object. Write the number of paper clips.
How Many Blocks Long?
Look at the blocks along each object. Write how many blocks long it is.
Measure with Cubes
Count the cubes along each object. Write the total.
How Many Hand Spans?
Circle the correct number of hand spans for each object.
The pencil is ___ hand spans long
The book is ___ hand spans long
The spoon is ___ hand spans long
How Many Blocks?
Circle the correct number of blocks for each object.
The banana is ___ blocks long
The bottle is ___ blocks long
The cup is ___ blocks long
The book is ___ blocks long
How Many Paper Clips?
Circle the correct number of paper clips for each object.
The pencil is ___ paper clips long
The spoon is ___ paper clips long
The crayon is ___ paper clips long
Match the Object to Its Length
Draw a line to match each object to how many blocks long it is.
Match Objects to Hand Spans
Draw a line to match each object to how many hand spans long it is.
Paper Clip Measuring
Count the paper clips along each object. Write the total number.
Which Is Longer?
Look at the measurements. Circle the object that is longer.
The pencil is 6 blocks long. The spoon is 3 blocks long. Which is longer?
The book is 8 paper clips long. The cup is 4 paper clips long. Which is longer?
The banana is 5 blocks long. The bottle is 7 blocks long. Which is longer?
Which Is Shorter?
Look at the measurements. Circle the object that is shorter.
The spoon is 4 paper clips long. The pencil is 7 paper clips long. Which is shorter?
The cup is 3 blocks long. The book is 9 blocks long. Which is shorter?
The banana is 5 hand spans long. The bottle is 2 hand spans long. Which is shorter?
The bed is 10 hand spans long. The table is 6 hand spans long. Which is shorter?
Compare Lengths in Blocks
Look at the blocks along each pair of objects. Circle the group with more blocks.
Which object used more blocks?
Which object used more blocks?
Which object used more blocks — or are they the same?
Compare Lengths in Paper Clips
Look at the paper clips along each pair of objects. Circle the longer measurement.
Which is longer?
Which is longer?
Which is longer — or are they the same?
Which is longer?
Match Measurements to Objects
Draw a line to match each object to its length in paper clips.
Longer or Shorter?
Read each sentence. Circle the correct answer.
A pencil is 6 blocks long. A spoon is 3 blocks long. The pencil is ___ than the spoon.
A book is 9 paper clips long. A banana is 9 paper clips long. The book is ___ the banana.
A cup is 2 hand spans long. A bottle is 5 hand spans long. The cup is ___ than the bottle.
Sort by Length
Sort these objects into the correct column based on their measurement.
Draw and Count Blocks
Draw blocks along each object to measure it. Write the number of blocks.
How many blocks long is your pencil? Draw and count.
How many blocks long is your hand? Draw and count.
How many blocks long is your foot? Draw and count.
Measure with Paper Clips
Use paper clips (or draw them) to measure each object. Write the number.
How many paper clips long is a spoon?
How many paper clips long is a crayon?
How many paper clips long is your shoe?
Measure the Same Object with Different Units
Measure the same object with two different units. Write what you find.
Measure your pencil with blocks. How many blocks long is it?
Now measure the same pencil with paper clips. How many paper clips long is it?
Why are the numbers different?
Measure with Hand Spans
Use your hand spans to measure each item. Write the number.
How many hand spans long is your desk?
How many hand spans long is a book?
How many hand spans long is a towel?
Which was the longest? Which was the shortest?
Measure with Spoons
Use spoons to measure each item. Lay the spoons end to end and count them.
How many spoons long is a book?
How many spoons long is a placemat?
How many spoons long is a tea towel?
Which Unit Would You Use?
Circle the best informal unit to measure each object.
To measure the length of a table, use ___
To measure the length of a pencil, use ___
To measure the length of a room, use ___
To measure the length of an eraser, use ___
Match the Unit to the Object
Draw a line from each object to the best informal unit to measure it.
Count the Pencils
Count the pencils laid end to end along each object. Write the number.
Record Your Measurements
Measure each object with blocks. Fill in the table.
My shoe is ___ blocks long.
My hand is ___ blocks long.
A banana is ___ blocks long.
A spoon is ___ blocks long.
Sort by Measurement
Sort these objects into the correct column based on their paper clip measurement.
Same Object, Different Units
A pencil was measured with blocks and paper clips. Circle the correct answers.
A pencil is 4 blocks long and 7 paper clips long. Why are the numbers different?
If you measure a book with big blocks and small blocks, which gives a bigger number?
A table is 6 hand spans long. If you used spoons instead, would the number be bigger or smaller?
Two Ways to Measure
Measure each object with two different units. Write your answers.
Measure a book with hand spans: ___ hand spans. Now with paper clips: ___ paper clips.
Measure a shoe with blocks: ___ blocks. Now with spoons: ___ spoons.
Which unit gave the bigger number each time? Why?
Guess and Check — Blocks
First guess how many blocks long each object is. Then measure with blocks and write the real answer.
Your pencil — Guess: ___ blocks. Measured: ___ blocks.
A spoon — Guess: ___ blocks. Measured: ___ blocks.
Your shoe — Guess: ___ blocks. Measured: ___ blocks.
Guess and Check — Paper Clips
Estimate how many paper clips long each object is, then measure to check.
A crayon — Guess: ___ paper clips. Measured: ___ paper clips.
A fork — Guess: ___ paper clips. Measured: ___ paper clips.
A book — Guess: ___ paper clips. Measured: ___ paper clips.
Were your guesses close? Which one was closest?
Guess and Check — Hand Spans
Estimate how many hand spans long each object is. Then measure and write the real answer.
Your desk — Guess: ___ hand spans. Measured: ___ hand spans.
A cushion — Guess: ___ hand spans. Measured: ___ hand spans.
A towel — Guess: ___ hand spans. Measured: ___ hand spans.
Best Estimate
Circle the best estimate for each measurement.
About how many paper clips long is a pencil?
About how many hand spans long is a table?
About how many blocks long is a spoon?
About how many foot steps long is a room?
Is the Estimate Reasonable?
Read each estimate. Circle whether it is reasonable or not.
Sam says his pencil is 50 blocks long. Is this reasonable?
Mia says the table is 6 hand spans long. Is this reasonable?
Jack says his shoe is 1 paper clip long. Is this reasonable?
Lily says a crayon is 4 blocks long. Is this reasonable?
Estimate, Measure, Compare
Estimate first, then measure. Write if your estimate was too many, too few, or just right.
A banana — Estimate: ___. Measured: ___. My estimate was ___.
A cup — Estimate: ___. Measured: ___. My estimate was ___.
A book — Estimate: ___. Measured: ___. My estimate was ___.
Estimate Then Measure — Foot Steps
Estimate how many foot steps long each area is. Then walk and count.
The hallway — Guess: ___ foot steps. Measured: ___ foot steps.
The kitchen — Guess: ___ foot steps. Measured: ___ foot steps.
Your bedroom — Guess: ___ foot steps. Measured: ___ foot steps.
Which room was the longest?
Why Use the Same Unit?
Think about measurement and circle the best answer.
Why should we use the same-sized unit when measuring?
Which would give the most accurate measurement?
Tom measured a table with big blocks and small blocks mixed together. Is this a good way to measure?
Fair or Unfair Measurement?
Read each sentence. Circle whether the measurement is fair or unfair.
Amy used 6 paper clips that were all the same size to measure a pencil.
Ben used 4 big blocks and 3 small blocks to measure a book.
Chloe used her hand span 5 times, keeping her fingers the same each time.
Dan left gaps between his paper clips when measuring.
What Went Wrong?
Read each story. Write what went wrong with the measurement.
Zara measured a book with 3 big blocks and 2 small blocks. She said it was 5 blocks long. What went wrong?
Kai measured a table with paper clips but left spaces between them. He said it was 8 paper clips long. What went wrong?
Mia started measuring from the middle of the ruler instead of the end. What went wrong?
Rules for Good Measuring
Circle the correct answer for each measuring rule.
When measuring, where should you start placing your units?
Should you leave gaps between your measuring units?
Should your measuring units overlap?
Good Measuring or Not?
Sort each statement into the correct column.
Explain Fair Measuring
Answer each question in your own words.
Why do we need to use the same-sized units when measuring?
What happens if we leave gaps between our measuring units?
Why should we start measuring from one end of the object?
Who Measured Correctly?
Read about how each child measured. Circle who did it correctly.
Alice placed paper clips end to end with no gaps from one end of the pencil to the other. Ben placed paper clips with big gaps. Who measured correctly?
Cara used blocks that were all the same size. Dave used a mix of big and small blocks. Who measured correctly?
Emma started measuring from one end of the book. Finn started from the middle. Who measured correctly?
Put in Order — Shortest to Longest
Read the measurements. Circle which object is the shortest.
Pencil = 6 blocks, Spoon = 3 blocks, Book = 9 blocks. Which is shortest?
Cup = 4 paper clips, Banana = 5 paper clips, Eraser = 2 paper clips. Which is shortest?
Table = 8 hand spans, Chair = 5 hand spans, Shelf = 10 hand spans. Which is shortest?
Put in Order — Longest to Shortest
Read the measurements. Circle which object is the longest.
Crayon = 3 blocks, Ruler = 8 blocks, Pencil = 5 blocks. Which is longest?
Fork = 6 paper clips, Spoon = 4 paper clips, Knife = 7 paper clips. Which is longest?
Book = 7 hand spans, Cushion = 4 hand spans, Pillow = 5 hand spans. Which is longest?
Order from Shortest to Longest
Write the numbers 1, 2, 3 to order these objects from shortest to longest. Spoon = 3 blocks, Book = 7 blocks, Pencil = 5 blocks.
Order from Longest to Shortest
Write the numbers 1, 2, 3 to order these objects from longest to shortest. Table = 10 hand spans, Chair = 4 hand spans, Desk = 7 hand spans.
Order Four Objects
Write 1, 2, 3, 4 to order from shortest to longest. Eraser = 2 blocks, Book = 8 blocks, Pencil = 5 blocks, Crayon = 3 blocks.
Measure and Order
Measure each object with blocks. Then write them in order from shortest to longest.
A pencil = ___ blocks. A spoon = ___ blocks. A banana = ___ blocks.
Write the objects in order from shortest to longest:
Measure and Order — Paper Clips
Measure each object with paper clips. Order them from longest to shortest.
A fork = ___ paper clips. A crayon = ___ paper clips. A book = ___ paper clips.
Write the objects in order from longest to shortest:
Which Is Longest?
Compare the block measurements. Circle the longer group.
Pencil (6 blocks) or Book (9 blocks)?
Banana (5 blocks) or Spoon (3 blocks)?
Cup (7 blocks) or Bottle (7 blocks)?
Match to the Correct Order
Draw a line to match each set of objects to the correct order from shortest to longest.
Sort Shortest to Longest
Sort these objects into columns based on their block measurement.
Measure Five Objects
Choose 5 objects. Measure each with blocks. Write them in order from shortest to longest.
Object 1: ___ = ___ blocks
Object 2: ___ = ___ blocks
Object 3: ___ = ___ blocks
Object 4: ___ = ___ blocks
Object 5: ___ = ___ blocks
Order from shortest to longest:
Choose the Best Unit
Circle the best informal unit for measuring each object.
To measure the length of a playground, the best unit is ___
To measure the length of an eraser, the best unit is ___
To measure the length of a swimming pool, the best unit is ___
To measure the width of your hand, the best unit is ___
Why That Unit?
Explain why you would choose each unit.
Why would you use foot steps to measure a room instead of paper clips?
Why would you use paper clips to measure a pencil instead of hand spans?
Would you use blocks or foot steps to measure a crayon? Why?
Thinking About Units
Read each problem. Circle the best answer.
You measure a table with hand spans and get 6. Your friend gets 8. Why might the answers be different?
If you use a bigger unit to measure, the number will be ___
If you use a smaller unit to measure, the number will be ___
Measurement Puzzles
Read each puzzle. Write your answer and explain your thinking.
Tom says his desk is 4 hand spans long. Lily says it is 6 hand spans long. They both measured the same desk. How is this possible?
A pencil is 7 paper clips long and 3 blocks long. Which unit is smaller — paper clips or blocks? How do you know?
Bigger Unit, Smaller Number
Read and circle the correct answer.
A book is 8 paper clips long and 3 hand spans long. Which unit is bigger?
A table is 5 hand spans long and 15 paper clips long. Which unit is bigger?
Using a bigger unit to measure gives a ___ number.
Using a smaller unit to measure gives a ___ number.
Measurement Reasoning
Think carefully and write your answers.
You measured a path with foot steps and got 10. Your little sister got 14. Why is her number bigger?
Your friend says 'I only need 3 blocks to measure my desk, so it must be short.' Do you agree? Why or why not?
Sort: Small Objects or Large Objects?
Sort these objects by whether you would use a small unit (paper clips) or a large unit (foot steps) to measure them.
Design a Measurement Challenge
Write your own measurement questions for a friend to try.
Write a question that asks someone to measure something with blocks.
Write a question that asks someone to measure something with hand spans.
Write a question that asks someone to compare two measurements.
Tricky Measurement Questions
Think hard! Circle the best answer.
Two children measure the same table. One gets 5, the other gets 10. What could explain this?
You want to compare the length of two desks. What must you do?
Which measurement tells you more — '4 blocks long' or 'quite long'?
Reflect on Measuring
Think about everything you have learned about measuring with informal units.
What are 3 different things you can use as informal measuring units?
What are 2 rules you must follow for a fair measurement?
Why is measuring better than just guessing how long something is?
Home Activity: Measure at Home
Measure things around your home using your hand spans!
- 1Measure the length of your bed in hand spans.
- 2How many hand spans wide is the dining table?
- 3Measure a door — is it more or less than 10 hand spans?
- 4Measure a window. How many hand spans wide is it?
- 5Try measuring the same thing with different units (hand spans vs spoons). Why are the numbers different?
Home Activity: Kitchen Measuring
Use spoons, forks, or other kitchen items to measure things at home.
- 1How many spoons long is a placemat?
- 2Measure a chopping board with forks. How many forks long is it?
- 3Find 3 objects in the kitchen. Measure each with spoons and write down the numbers.
- 4Which is longer — the table or the bench? Measure both with the same unit to find out.
- 5Measure a tea towel with spoons. Then measure it with your hand spans. Are the numbers different? Why?