measurement · Year 1 · AC9M1M01
Measure with informal units
You can measure length with things that are all the same size, like paper clips. Lay them in a straight line, end to end, starting exactly at one end of the object. Leave no gaps and no overlaps. Then count how many units fit from one end of the object to the other. Only count the units beside the object, not any that stick out past it. If the units have gaps, the object is really longer than the count; if they overlap, it is really shorter.
Sample questions
How many paper clips long is the spoon?
- Count the clips from one end of the spoon to the other: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The spoon is 5 paper clips long.
Answer: 5
How many paper clips long is the crayon?
- Count the clips from one end of the crayon to the other: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- The crayon is 8 paper clips long.
Answer: 8
How many paper clips long is the spoon?
- Count the clips from one end of the spoon to the other: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The spoon is 7 paper clips long.
Answer: 7