This past week we started a new Math unit on measurement. We began by making a list of all the things that we knew about measurement.
We knew a little bit about the tools of measurement, some measurement words and a few units of measurement. Mrs. de Jager and Mrs. Betts will use this information as a starting point for the unit.
Then we started with an activity where we used our hands as the unit of measure to measure various classroom items like the filing cabinet, the recycling bin, and our desks. When we were done, we compared our answers and discovered that we all had different answers - and this made us ask 'why?'
One student pointed out that we were all measuring in different ways - some of us measured with our hands from fingertip to palm, and others measured with their hands side-by-side. Plus, our hands are all different sizes, so our answers will all be different!
The next day, we changed measurement unit to a tens rod and decided that we would measure from end to end. Working together, we measured the same classroom items again, and most of us came up with the same answer this time! We checked our answers with partners, and rechecked our measurements if necessary so that we all had the same answer.
So now we know that we need to use a standard measurement tool - what else can you use to measure items?
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