Hands-On Learning with a Digital Twist Series: Measurement

Hi friends! This week on the blog, I am revisiting my popular series that helps my readers see how hands-on learning and digital learning can work together. I’m chatting about measurement this week. Keep reading as I share fun activities that you can use with your students to increase their measurement skills.

Hands-On Measurement

First, let’s talk again about hands-on learning. This is the best way for children to grasp 😉 new concepts and skills. There are so many ways to teach measurement skills with this method of learning.

Standard Tools

Measuring with standard tools means that students will begin to understand units of measurement such as inches, centimeters, and feet. Students must first learn which tool to use for measuring an object, and second graders need to know how to select the appropriate tool to meet math standards. Model how to choose the appropriate tool for various objects for your students. Anchor charts are great for helping your students pick the right tool.

Standard tools consist of rulers, measuring tapes, and yard sticks. Have students begin with measuring objects in the classroom. Take measuring outside! Students will love to measure the items they find in nature. Ask them what tool they could use to measure trees and other tall objects. Younger students can use their feet to measure areas of the playground.

Everyday Measurement

Preschool children begin to learn how to measure objects with non-standard units of measurement. This continues through first grade. They begin by using unifix cubes and other small objects to measure toys and objects in their surroundings. Paper clips are a popular object to use as a unit of measurement. Children can measure the length of their favorite book or the tower they built with blocks.

Students can also use their own steps to measure the distance across the classroom. They can measure shorter lengths with their hands and feet. The resource below uses virtual hands to measure objects. This is a great way to use “hands”-on learning with digital learning. 😉

Learning at Home

A lot of people do not realize that they are teaching their children measurement skills by having them help in the kitchen! Even though young children may not fully understand units of measurement yet, they are still practicing their measuring skills. Let young students measure out cups of flour, and familiarize them with the names of units of measurement.

For virtual learning, use digital resources with your students to practice measurement skills. Encourage them to find and measure objects in their home like the ones they measure in the digital resource. Send notes to families with simple measurement activities that they can do with their children. Families can measure their rooms using their feet or steps.

This digital resource even has kids measuring hot dogs in a virtual environment. Making learning fun will help keep your students engaged. You can even create your own digital resources with objects that interest your students the most! Join the free Facebook group to take the first step towards creating your own digital math resources! Join here.

Digital Measuring

I always like to share with you some digital math resources that you can you use with your students. As I mentioned above, first graders are still measuring with objects. This digital activity will have them measuring objects with digital cubes.

For second graders, these task cards will support them as they learn to estimate and measure with tools. Use these digital math resources in your math centers to extend learning. Have students find the same digital items in their classroom to measure in their own space.

It’s so much fun that we can use everyday objects in digital resources to keep learning relevant to our students’ everyday lives. With digital learning, students use draggable rulers to measure familiar objects. By using everyday objects, you can extend learning into their classroom or home.

Thanks for reading the blog this week! Comment below and let me know what everyday object you use for students to practice their measurement skills!

Don’t forget to check out some fun St. Patrick’s Day products for your students! Click below to see them all!

Talk to you next week!

Jess @Savvy Apple