Measurement Tools

Introduce students to measurement tools with this fun hands-on activity. Students will get plenty of practice comparing length and weight as well. Use this scaffolded EL lesson plan alone or with **How Big is It?**.

This lesson can be used as a pre-lesson for the How Big Is It? lesson plan.

Grade:

First Grade

Subjects:

Measuring Temperature

View aligned standards

No standards associated with this content.

This lesson can be used as a pre-lesson for the How Big Is It? lesson plan.

Objectives

Academic

Students will be able to measure length using standard and non-standard units.

Language

Students will be able to describe the steps to measure length using centimeter cubes with visual and partner support.

Introduction

(5 minutes)

Tell students that you love to cook, and can't wait to get home to make chocolate chip cookies! Ask students to give you a thumbs up if they have ever cooked anything, and tell them to turn and talk to a partner to discuss.
Show students some flour, and say, "This is all the flour I have. I don't know if I need to stop at the grocery store to buy more flour. The recipe say I need 2 cups."
Show students a large plastic cup and pour the flour in. Say, "I don't have enough to fill up two of these cups, so I don't think I have enough!"
Allow students to correct you. Think aloud, "Yes, in cooking 2 cups means a specific amount. You're right- I need to measure to find out the exact amount of flour that is needed in the recipe."
Show students a measuring cup and explain, "This is a measurement tool used in cooking. If I use the measuring cup, I will know that I am measuring with the same tool that was used when the recipe was written."
Model measuring 2 cups of flour using the measuring cup. Comment, "Yes, I do have enough flour!"