How do you measure?

When brain storming what is measurement I initially thought about using a tape measure to find out lengths and widths of objects. My sons love measuring how long things are and the length of time it takes to do something. Measurement involves assigning a number to an attribute of an event or object. Measurement is a key area in the study of mathematics. It involves 6 main learning areas including length, area, volume, capacity, time and mass also include the measurement of temperature and angles into the classroom. Measurement is in the curriculum as it is used daily in students’ lives and help students to view the importance of mathematics in everyday life. It is also in the curriculum is it incorporates a range of other mathematics. Including counting (number of grams), multiplication for find volume, division to change minutes into hours, subtraction to find out how accurate an estimation is and also addition when finding the perimeter of a shape.

A great way to get kids measuring is through informal measuring - they love to do it!

For example: how many steps does it take to get from the mat to the bookshelf? Or how many hands long is my desk? How many pencils long is your book?

After kids have had a play with that, ask why their measurements are different to yours. Help them discover that you both are measuring different length "units".

After we explored informal units, the kids and I created our own decimetre ruler (10cm long). Now we can all measure using the same length unit!

When we are measuring around the home or classroom, it is beneficial to be using measuring language as well as modelling correct skills in measuring. Kids don't automatically understand to put their finger down to mark spot where to move their decimetre is.

This is a great introduction to formal units used later in the curriculum.