Measuring with Nonstandard Units

 We recently did a fun measuring lesson that I wanted to share.  It was a simple, fun lesson that packed a punch.  Students really got the concept.

Objective:  Students will measure the same object with units of two different lengths and describe how and why the measurements were different.   (TEKS 1.7C)

We watched the read aloud "How Big is a Foot?" by Rolf Mylier on youtube since I didn't have the book.  

I made feet template, one for the King's foot and one for the apprentice's foot.  We used the feet to visualize the bed size while reading the book.  When we finished the read aloud, we measured a couple of things in the room with the feet and discussed why the measurements were different.  NOTE:  Scroll down to the bottom of this post to get the link for the footprints if you want to print them.  

I then gave students two different measuring tools.  We used pretzel sticks and cereal.  

Students measured several things in their boxes and then the length of their desks.  I used the recording sheet I had from First Grade Math Unit 14 Standard Nonstandard Measurement Activities that I purchased on TpT from Miss Giraffe.  If you have purchased anything from her, then you know her stuff is wonderful!

At the end of the lesson, I put a question on the board for them to answer.  They just flipped over their worksheet and wrote on the back.

I've attached the link for the footprints and added a couple recording sheets.  I thought this might be fun to do with pretzel sticks and Cheese Its™ and I also included a copy with no measurement units in case you wanted to add your own.

Measuring with Nonstandard Units Activity

Happy Teaching Friends!