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Using a Ruler

Using a Ruler

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect, record, and compare information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, rulers, primary balances, plastic beakers, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, and safety goggles; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; weather instruments such as thermometers, wind vanes, and rain gauges; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Essential Understanding

The student uses age-appropriate tools and models to investigate the natural world.

Science Background

Inches and Feet: Brain Pop Jr. (website) - Background information and ideas for teaching key concepts and tools for measuring length and height, including the metric system and non-standard units.

Inches and Feet
Brain Pop. www.brainpop.com

Signature Lesson

Inchworm Measurement: Utah Education Network (website) - A children's book is used as a basis for activities in which students measure, record and compare the lengths or heights of different objects in the classroom.

Inchworm Measurement
Utah Education Network, www.uen.org

Supporting Lessons

Using a Ruler to Measure Sea Creatures to the Nearest Eighth Inch: National Security Agency (PDF) - Students develop their understanding of the markings on a ruler by measuring paper creatures to the nearest fraction of an inch.

Using a Ruler to Measure Sea Creatures to the Nearest Eighth Inch
National Security Agency, www.nsa.gov

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Beginning Measurement: Discovery Education (website) - Students rotate through stations, using a variety of tools to measure record the length, width, height, weight and temperature of different objects. Several of the stations measure length.

Beginning Measurement
Discovery Education, www.discoveryeducation.com

Assessment Ideas

Have students create a “length folder” from a standard manila file folder. Then have them locate a variety of small objects around the class (or bring some from home), tape the items inside their folders, and write the length beneath each object.

Literature Connections

How Big is the Lion? Accorsi, William (ISBN-13: 978-0761155409)

Measuring Penny. Leedy, Loreen (ISBN-13: 978-0805065725)

How Big is a Foot? Myller, Rolf (ISBN-13: 978-0440404958)

Me and the Measure of Things. Sweeney, Joan (ISBN-13: 978-0440417569)

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

Related Science TEKS

(2.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to identify and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(2.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to describe the importance of safe practices.

(2.1C) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to identify and demonstrate how to use, conserve, and dispose of natural resources and materials such as conserving water and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metal.

(2.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events during observations and investigations.

(2.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct descriptive investigations such as how organisms grow.

(2.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data from observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, thermometers, and non-standard measurement tools.

(2.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data using pictures, numbers, and words.

(2.2E) Communicate and Justify Explanations
The student is expected to communicate observations and justify explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations.

(2.2F) Comparing Results of Investigations
The student is expected to compare results of investigations with what students and scientists know about the world.

(2.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

Related Math TEKS

2.12D    The student is expected to use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

2.13A    The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Measurement Game!: Fun Brain (website) - Students can practice measuring length with this interactive game.  Several difficulty levels are provided.

Measurement Game!
Fun Brain, www.funbrain.com

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