Measurement has never been something that I have overly enjoyed teaching. Maybe because I don’t have fond memories learning about it. So I needed a long term, hands on and engaging way to teach the skill and I wanted to be able to have it as a math and literacy choice.
Getting Started with Measurement
First, I wanted my pre-k students to have hands on practice using non standard measurement. I wanted them to want to choose the activity. Therefore, I decided to chose clipart that related to our learning and paired it with different materials for measuring such as mini erasers (you know you have 100’s), unifix cubes, links, even pirate coins.
Each unit the items are different, but the process remains the same. This helps keep my students engaged, but me sane. Once taught my students can easily measure the items and eventually record what they have measured. And BINGO instant center.
With my junior kindergarteners (4’s turning 5) we start the year, we start whole group. We practice measuring each item, we practice going from edge to edge, we practice 1 to 1 correspondence, we even practice getting the tub in and out. As the year continues, we change up the measuring materials, eventually we add the recording sheet. With kindergarteners you could start with the worksheets as part of the intro lesson.
I also wanted my students to get to be part of the process; therefore, I began measuring my students with different objects. It’s so fun to look back and discuss why a child was 15 snowballs tall but only 8 dump trucks. My students love drawing themselves and counting the correct number of items high.
Ohh… look another math and fine motor skills rolled into one activity definitely a win win!
What Other Teachers are Saying:
Tory Says (Rainforest Measurement):
“Such a great transition or class activity to learn measurement during out rainforest theme. You can make this activity easy enough for independent learning or even expand on it more to make it a group activity. My students are in kinder, and they very much enjoyed this!”
Suzie Says (Farm Measurement):
“We were using the farm theme for the week that we were learning about measurement attributes. This was an extremely fun activity to go along with our theme and standards. The children had so much fun using the barns to measure each other’s height. Thank you for this resource.”
Then as my measurement activities developed I also added an low prep estimation page that is perfect for substitutes, morning work, or follow up to a traditional lesson. It has quickly become one of my favorite pages in the packet. Just print (B&W)and add a manipulative to measure with and bam your done.
Need certain themes check them out here. Or check out the mega pack and have enough for weeks of measuring fun.
Lastly, are you looking for more math and literacy activities that match my measurement activities themes I got you covered- Check out my alphabet game post.
