How big is a foot? We read up until the apprentice goes to jail. Then I divide my kids into 4 groups, and assign one to be the apprentice. The group traces the apprentice's foot on a piece of construction paper and cut it out. They use the foot cut out to make a quilt out of bulletin paper that is 3 ft by 6 ft to fit the queen's bed. We look at each quilt and discuss why the quilts are different sizes. A good discussion of why we need standard measurements to go by. The kids enjoy doing this. Be sure the apprentices you pick have different size feet.

   Here's a PDF version of the book

(Thanks to Nancy from the Second Grade Teacher's Club for the link.)

●Clay Worm Idea from Amanda Madden:  Using packs of clay.  (Most Dollar Stores have packs of clay that are in strips.)   Have them measure the strip then have them roll the clay and make worms of varying lengths. 

Standing Long Jump:  After I showed them how to measure using ruler and yardstick, I divided my class into groups of four or five. Marked off spots in the classroom for them to do the standing long jump. Have students take turns jumping and measuring and recording their distances in feet and yards. Extension:  Use the data to find the median length. (Idea from Christina Bainbridge )  

Gallons, quarts, pints, and cups: Gallon Man template can be downloaded here http://home.att.net/~clnetwork/math/mrgalparts.pdf

Picture of Gallon Man and Cheez-it area idea - Mrs. Gold's class

Another Liquid Measurement Idea

(Idea found on Proteacher from "inthelooybin" idea and "Risa" Gallon Graphic)

The Royal Land of Gallon

In the royal land of Gallon, there live 4 Queens (quarts).

Each queen has a Prince and a Princess (pints).

Each prince and princess has 2 Children (cups).

They always work together to figure out equivalent liquid quantities

Worksheet for students to make their own By Risa @ Proteacher

 

Mrs. Burk's Area/Perimeter Rap - Teacher Tube

Area Race Game found in My Documents Section

Capacity Lineup
Give students a series of 5 to 6 containers of various sizes and they need to order the containers from least volume to greatest. They can again use a filler and a scoop to help solve the problem but they should work in a group to figure out how to use the materials to solve the problem. At the end I had them record the order of the shapes from least to greatest.

"How long is your name"

The kids write their name in cursive on a piece of construction paper. Then they use yarn to trace over the letters. When they have enough yarn to cover their name they have a friend help them stretch it out and measure it. Then they glue the yarn on the paper and put my name is ___ long.

Books to teach Measurement:

This is a picture book written by Marilyn Burns.  This is a great story to teach perimeter.  This really helps students see the difference between perimeter and area. 

Do you have any ideas or links that you would like to share?  If so please email me and I would happy to add your idea.  It is my goal to make this site a place to get ideas for teachers.