Lesson: Length and Distance

This week our math focus is on measuring. 

We started with this book:
How do you Measure Length and Distance? (ISBN9781429663304) by Thomas K and Heather Adamson

I had a foot ruler, a yard stick, and a measuring tape on hand for them to explore and to demonstrated the concepts in the book.

Basically just follow the book.  We talked about how measuring things by hands would be different for every person.  Compare your hands with the others in your class.  Who's are bigger?  Who's are smaller?  Does a crayon look the same in everyone's hand?

Some easy objects to measure are "new" crayones (3 inches), small glue sticks (3 inches), kids scissors, (5 inches), desks (24 inches),.... some other objects are not even increments, for example, markers are about 5.5 inches.

We also practiced measureing their heights.  My son (2) is about 34 inches tall, my daughter (4) is 40 so we couldn't use the yard stick for her and had to use the tape measure. 

After we finished the book I just let them play around at measuring whatever they desired.

For a more advanced measurement lesson download this free worksheet pack from teacherspayteachers.  It has inch, half, quarter, and eighth.
 
Practice using alternate objects to measure distance. 
Here's an Easter printable using eggs as your unit of measure.