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Non-Standard Measurements

Non-Standard Measurements

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools. 

Essential Understanding

The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. 

Science Background

Measurement Standard for Grades Pre-K-2: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (website) - Explains fundamental concepts, skills and techniques of measurement—including the use of non-standard tools—for early childhood grades.

Measurement Standard for Grades Pre-K-2
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, www.nctm.org

Signature Lesson

The Length of My Feet: NCTM Illuminations (website) - Students learn about and employ nonstandard tools to collect data, observe and measure the length, size and/or distance of different items. They also learn that length is a measurable attribute of objects.

The Length of My Feet
NCTM Illuminations, illuminations.nctm.org

Magnificent Measurement, The Weight of Things: NCTM Illuminations (website) - Introduce students to nonstandard units with which to measure weight. Students make observations and predict the weights of different objects, arrange the objects from lightest to heaviest, and use scales to collect data and determine the accuracy of their estimates.

Magnificent Measurement, The Weight of Things
NCTM Illuminations, illuminations.nctm.org

Supporting Lessons

How Many Steps? NCTM Illuminations (website) - To increase their understanding of measurement and statistics, students use non-standard units measure to distances and record their measurements in a bar graph.

How Many Steps?
NCTM Illuminations, illuminations.nctm.org

What Balances It? National Core Knowledge Colorado (PDF) - Students use a balance to compare the weights of different objects. The activity (Lesson Six) is on page 8.

What Balances It?
National Core Knowledge Colorado, www.coreknowledge.org

Measuring Capacity in Cups: National Core Knowledge Colorado (PDF) - Students use cups to estimate and measure the capacity of different containers. Find the activity (Lesson Eight) at the bottom of page 10.

Measuring Capacity in Cups
National Core Knowledge Colorado, www.coreknowledge.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Exploration of a Balance: NCTM Illuminations (website) - Students balance pairs of like and unlike objects by changing the objects’ distance from the fulcrum. (A crayon serves as the fulcrum and a ruler represents the balance.)

Exploration of a Balance
NCTM Illuminations, illuminations.nctm.org

Assessment Ideas

Give each student several paper clips and a long pencil. Have students estimate the length of the pencil, and then use the paper clips to find the actual measurement. Students should record their estimates and results in their notebooks.

Give each student a rock, a double pan balance and centimeter cubes. Have students predict the mass of the rock then test their prediction using the cubes and balance. They should record their predictions and findings in their notebooks. 

Literature Connections

Super Sand Castle Saturday. Murphy, Stuart (ISBN-13: 978-0064467209)

Measurement. Dowdy, Penny (ISBN-13: 978-0778743590)

Capacity. Pluckrose, Henry (ISBN-13: 978-0516454511)

Drip, Drop. Weeks, Sarah (ISBN: 13: 978-0064435970)

Length. Pluckrose, Henry (ISBN-13: 978-0516454535) 

Related Science TEKS

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

1.7F     Compare and order two or more objects according to weight/mass (from heaviest to lightest).

1.9A    Collect and sort data.

1.9B     Use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.11C   Select or develop an appropriate problem-solving plan or strategy including drawing a picture, looking for a pattern, systematic guessing and checking, or acting it out in order to solve a problem.

1.11D  Use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

1.12A  Explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  Justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology. 

Additional Resources

Fill it to Capacity: Utah Education Network (website) - This lesson is written for older learners but can easily be adapted for 1st graders. Use non-standard units and model how to estimate the amount different containers will hold.

Fill it to Capacity
Utah Education Network, www.uen.org

Measuring Fun: National Core Knowledge Colorado (PDF) - Students read and learn about the history of non-standard units and how we developed the standard tools in use today. Through hands on experiments, games, and riddles, students learn how to use rulers, scales, measuring cups, thermometers, and clocks.

Measuring Fun
National Core Knowledge Colorado, www.ckcolorado.org

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