Measure Length with Objects
📎 Let's make our own rulers! You don't need a ruler to measure things. You can use anything as long as they are all the exact same size!
Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.
Concept
Before humans invented rulers with inches and centimeters, they measured things using objects like their feet, their hands, or even sticks!
🎯 How to Measure with Objects: You can use paper clips, blocks, or even shoes to measure. But there are 3 Golden Rules of Measuring: 1. Start at the Edge: Line your objects up exactly with the starting edge of the thing you are measuring. 2. End-to-End: Put your measuring objects end-to-end so they are touching. 3. No Gaps or Overlaps: Do not leave weird empty spaces between your objects, and don't stack them on top of each other!
Example: To measure a book with paper clips, you just lay paper clips end-to-end from the bottom of the book to the top. Count them up! "This book is 4 paper clips long."
Try it
Measure the room!
Instructions: Answer the questions about measuring correctly.
Problem 1: Tom measures a pencil with small paper clips. He gets 6 clips. Sarah measures the SAME pencil with giant, jumbo paper clips. Will her number be MORE than 6 or LESS than 6? * Answer: ________________
Problem 2: You are using blocks to measure a shoe. You put the blocks close together, but leave small spaces between them. Did you follow the Golden Rules? * Yes / No
Problem 3: You use your own feet (walking heel-to-toe) to measure a rug. The rug is 8 "feet" long. Is this a good way to measure things at your house? * Yes / No