Elementary Activities: Measurement Fun

By Tiffany Rudd

One of my favorite math concepts to teach in 3rd grade was measurement. Length is an especially fun one to watch kids experiment with and learn. Recently, on a rainy day, I got out a my favorite picture books about measurement/length to read to the kids. After we read, the kids were super excited to get measuring on their own.

A great way to start exploring measurement is to try measuring using household objects. Cameron discovered that Brooklyn is 6 baby-phones long, 9 Anniston shoes long, and 7 Declan diapers long. 

This is a perfect lead-in for a discussion on standard measurement. The book How Big is a Foot by Rolf Myller is a fantastic book about where standard measurement came from and why we need it. 

These next three books are my favorites for inspiring kids to measure the world around them... 

How Tall, How Short, How Faraway by David Adler 

Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy  

Hershey's Weights & Measures by Jerry Pallotta

So, next time it is rainy or cold and your kids are stuck inside, get out a ruler or measuring tape and let your child loose measuring everything in the house! :)