Tools and Comparisons
Kindergarten students focus on learning to use standard and non-standard tools to measure objects.
K.8 The student will identify the instruments used to measure length (ruler), weight (scale), time (clock: digital and analog; calendar: day, month, and season), and temperature (thermometer).
K.10 The student will compare two objects or events, using direct comparisons or nonstandard units of measure, according to one or more of the following attributes: length (shorter, longer), height (taller, shorter), weight (heavier, lighter), temperature (hotter, colder). Examples of nonstandard units include foot length, hand span, new pencil, paper clip, and block.
Understanding the Standard (For the Teacher)
• Many experiences in measuring physical objects, using nonstandard and standard units of measure, help to develop an intuitive understanding of measurement and will help students connect a tool with its purpose in measuring.
• Selecting from among various measuring instruments and determining which can be used to solve various real-life problems are introduced at this level.
• A precursor to connecting tools to a type of measurement is an introduction to the concepts of length, weight, time, and temperature.
• Length is the distance between two points.
• Height is the vertical length of a perpendicular to its base.
• Weight is a measure of the heaviness of an object.
• Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of an object (e.g., a body) or environment.
• Students need to identify the attribute that they are measuring (e.g., length, height, weight, temperature) before they begin to measure.
• Multiple hands-on experiences are needed to gain the ability to compare the attributes of objects.
All students should
• Identify an appropriate measuring tool for a given unit of measure.
• Compare and order objects according to their attributes.
• Develop an understanding of measuring with nonstandard and standard units of measure.
• Recognize attributes (length, height, weight, temperature) that can be measured.
Teaching the Standard
Books
How Big is a Foot? By Rolf Miller. Illus by Author. 1991. 48p. Yearling. (978-0440404958). Gr K. The King wants to make the Queen a bed, the first bed in the kingdom. How will they make it? How will they measure it? This fun story answers the question Why do we measure in feet? and gets children thinking about how they can measure things.
Measuring Penny. By Loreen Leedy. 2000. 32p. Henry Holt and Co. (9780805065725) Gr 1-2. A story of measurement, learning, and fun. Follow Lisa as she practices measuring her dog, Penny, in both standard and non standard units. Maybe a little advanced for kindergartners to read, but they would love the story and illustrations.
Millions to Measure. By David M. Schwartz. Illus. by Stephen Kellog. 2006. 40p. HarperCollins. (9780060848064. Gr K-1. Take students through a look back in time. Learn how and why we came up with standard units for measure length and weight and watch as children enjoy the expressive illustrations.
Activities/Centers/Small Group
Foot Fun. Here's a fun activity to get children into using non-standard units of measurement. Have students measure the same and different items then compare their measurements. What kind of inferences can they make from the information collected?
I Can. Give students this sheet and have them find things around the room to weigh. Can they guess which is heavier or lighter? Have them fill out the pages and stick them in their math journals.
Measurement Vocabulary Sort. Here's a downloadable sort to print and cut out. Gives students a chance to practice vocabulary giving them a firm foundation in measurement.
Electronic Resources
Dinosaur Train: How Big Are You? This online game has students practice their non-standard unit measurement. Another plus is this would be a fun cross-curricular game to play when studying dinosaurs in science.
Matchits Measurement. Practice measurement vocabulary by matching the word to it's definition. Good computer station activity for students who are having a harder time grasping these concepts.
Time to Move. A fun game where students catch fish and sort them into the small and large fish aquariums. Fun game with fun music and graphics.
Assessments
Kindergarten Measurement. Here's a site of worksheets that can be printed for students to show their comprehension of length and weight. Students will estimate length and weight and choose the longest, shortest, lightest, and heaviest options.
Measuring Inches. Have students measure the insects on this page and record the numbers. Practice and you'll know where they stand.
Shorter. Use this worksheet to make sure your students understand the concept of shorter.