Math Standard:
A. Measure and estimate lengths in standard units.
2.MD.A.3 Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters.
Activity 1:
Foot Book Measurement Introduction
Description:
Students trace their shoe
and predict the length of
their shoe, basing it off
different measurements,
such as cubes and paper
clips. While these are not
standard units, this is a good
introduction into measuring
and estimating lengths. This
activity correlates with Dr.
Seuss Foot Book, and
introduces the student to
measurement.
Benefit:
Benefits of the Foot Book
are students have the
introduction to
measurement and begin to
get the concept that there
are different forms of
measurement, and the
object measured is not
changing size, but the
measurement varies based
on what is being used to
measure. It is a good
introduction into inches
and feet because the
student can visually see
that using different units
of measurement results in
different numbers. In
addition, reading Dr.
Seuss' Foot Book creates
some cross-curricular
connections with reading.
Positive Interaction:
This activity promotes
positive interaction because
the students remain in their
Zone of Proximal
Development. The students
are introduced to
measurement without it
being overwhelming because
they are able to experience
the process of measurement
without having to try and
correctly read a ruler,
yardstick, etc. They still learn
that length of an object
depends on the object in
which it is measured. This is
great for the hands-on
learners and for visual
learners, because they can
visually see the differences.
In addition, children love Dr.
Seuss, therefore they will be
engaged and enjoy the
activity because anytime a
teacher can incorporate a
book into Math, it tends to
gain interest. In addition,
kids enjoy tracing their feet
and comparing their
measurement with others.
Diagram/Illustration:
Math Standard:
2.MD.A.1 Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers,
yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
Activity 2:
Description:
The teacher divides the
students up into groups and
creates a relay race. Each
student gets a card and the
students determine which
category (Feet, Inches, and
Yards) their card goes into.
The team that finishes first
and has their cards in the
correct category is the
winner. Then when the
students are finished, they
get the handout and cut the
words out then glue them
into the correct category.
Diagram/Illustration:
What Would You Use?
Benefit:
This is beneficial for the
students because it helps
the students have an
automatic response of
what to use to measure an
object. This helps students
see and remember that
inches are smaller than
feet, and feet are smaller
than yards. Then this will
be further enforced by the
cut and paste handout.
Positive Interaction:
Students work in groups to
complete the race, the game
will go by quickly so multiple
rounds can be done,
reinforcing the concept of
determining the correct tool
for measurement. Also this
allows the second graders to
move around which is
helpful to the kinesthetic
learners. The worksheet
helps students who need the
measurements reinforced
and provide them with a tool
they can keep and use for
reference. It also helps the
hands-on learners.
Math Standard:
2.MD.A.2 Measure the length of an object using two different units of measure and describe how the
two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen.

Activity 3:
Flying Fun With Paper Planes

Description: Benefit: Positive Interaction:

Students make their own
paper airplane and the
teacher will mark the start
line on the floor. Then the
students throw their paper
airplane and measure how
far it went in feet and in
inches. Then they will
record their length on the
sheet. The whole class will
compete and the student
whose plane goes to farthest
is the winner. Variation- The
students could compete in
pairs allowing them to fly
their plane more, and have
more practice measuring.
Diagram/Illustration:
Students measure the
length their plane flew
using both feet and inches
therefore this provides the
students with a visual
relationship between feet
and inches. Students are
likely to maintain
engagement because they
enjoy throwing paper
airplanes.
This allows students to get
up, move, and physically
measure an object. In
addition, students love paper
airplanes so being able to
compete and throw airplanes
will result in the students
having fun measuring, and
not realize they are learning
while having fun.
Math Standard:
A. Measure and estimate lengths in standard units.
2.MD.A.3 Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters.

Activity 4:
Scavenger Hunt Measurement Activity

Description: Benefit: Positive Interaction:

Student's receive the
activity sheet and have
access to measuring devices.
Students try to find objects
around the classroom that
are about the measurement
provided on the sheet. The
students then write down
what object they found for
each measurement length.
The teacher can have
students work individually
or in a group.
Diagram/Illustration:
Students will be able to This activity is great for
physically see the visual and kinesthetic
difference between learners. The students have
common units of length to physically find objects and
such as millimeter, measure them and correctly
centimeter, meters, inches, read the ruler/yard stick/
feet, and yards. This also etc.
provides students with Students can work in groups
interaction between the and practice social
Customary and metric interaction and working as a
Unit, and they will practice group.
their measuring skills. In
addition, it helps the
students have a mental
image for each
measurement. For
example, they may think 1
centimeter is about a
pencil Eraser. This will
help them in predicting
length.
Math Standard:

2.MD.A.4 Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another and express the
difference in terms of a standard unit of length.

Activity 5:
How Tall Am I?

Description: Benefit: Positive Interaction:

Students get partners and
measure each other using
yarn, and then students
hang their height on the
wall and use a tape measure
to determine their height in
Inches. Then the students
get back together with their
partner and determine the
difference comparing each
other's height.
Students will enjoy
measuring each other, and
have subtraction practice
by determining the
difference between their
height and the height of a
classmate.
Students will maintain
engagement because they
are able to determine their
own height. Then they can
compare their height to their
classmates. Students can also
measure the height in feet
and inches in order for it to
be easier to determine the
difference between two
student's heights.

Diagram/Illustration: