Math for foundation phase: Measuring length

The first attribute that kids learn is length, but measuring length is not always clearly understood.

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To get children to grasp the idea of length, I would suggest the following activities:

Let small children begin with direct comparisons of two or more lengths.

Make a sort-by-length station where they can sort objects: shorter, longer or the same.

Change the reference objects from time-to-time.  They can also be asked to put those objects in order - short to long, long to short.  They can wrap string around objects to compare the lengths such us from one ear to another or from waist to toes.

 

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It's not only fun but also important for them to compare the lengths of things that are not in straight lines as the length can look shorter.  They will find it very interesting to see that a crooked line that is measured is actually much longer than it looks.

Design some curvy paths with tape on the classroom floor.  You want them to examine which path is the longest and shortest.  They should then try to make straight paths next to the crooked path of the same length with tape.  This would be a good time to work in pairs too.  Measuring the lines by using the foot as the measuring unit, can also be a fun and interesting way for them to learn.

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Cut some drinking straws from different colors into smaller units and have them put them on pieces of string.  Provide a big colorful measuring line on the wall and demonstrate how to measure from the first straw to the last.  The aim is to see how such short straws from different colors can become a longer straw while developing their own approach to measuring.  

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The children received a special request from the "principal" who wants to know how tall the teachers are. 

They have to think of a plan to measure the teachers.  Provide tools as measuring units, but they have to work in teams and decide for themselves what they will do and what they will use.  It can be blocks, books, string, straws, paperclips or actual measuring tapes.  It would be interesting to see what they come up with.  They can decide if the teacher should stand or lie down during measurement and remember to write their findings down for the "report" to the principal. 

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The teacher will be able to learn a lot from his/her observations during these activities to see if they grasp the concept or not and also to see if they are ready to proceed with actual measuring worksheets.