Munchie Measurement

In first grade, we practice measuring in many different ways. We use both standard and non-standard measurement. Standard measurement includes using a ruler to measure in inches or centimeters. Non-standard can include measuring using anything! We've used connecting cubes, our feet, teddy bears, you name it! This particular day, we were using standard measurement to measure twizzlers. 

For whatever reason, first graders love to use knives! I imagine this is because they don't often get to use them, but that always makes this lesson a huge hit! We started by going over the safety of using a (plastic) knife. The children knew that they should only cut their twizzlers and nothing else, otherwise their knife privileges would be revoked!

It had been a while since we pulled out rulers, so we started this lesson by looking at our rulers and deciding which side we should use if we were going to be measuring using inches. (The Big Numbers). Then, we discussed where you should start measuring. It is important that children realize that some rulers start at the end, while others may have a zero or other marker to show them where to start. We looked at how things might come out differently if you started to measure in the wrong place. 

Once we had reviewed all of this, we got down to measuring. I would call out a length and the children were supposed to measure their twizzler to that length and cut it. 

 When we were all finished measuring, we took our different lengths that we had measured and I had the children put them in order from the shortest to the longest to help review those comparison words.

Tune in next week to see a little non-standard measurement marshmallow fun!