Measurements: Inches

Joyce McCoy                    Spencer Math & Science Academy
                               214 North Lavergne Avenue
                               Chicago IL  60644
                               (312) 534-6150

Objectives:

This lesson is designed for the primary grades.

Solve problems involving measurement using information taken from various items 
measured.

Students will be able to measure to the nearest inch.

Students will be able to identify the length and width of rectangles.

Students will be able to write simple addition problems.

Students will be able to perform simple addition of two one-digit numbers.

Materials Needed:

wooden blocks of various sizes (squares and rectangles)
empty boxes of various sizes
12-inch ruler
tape measure
chalkboard
chalk
Word list:  ruler, tape measure, block, square, rectangle, box, sum, add, 
   addition, wide, width, length, height, measurement, plus, equal, close, 
   closest, long, longest, large, largest, short, shortest, tall, tallest, 
   results

Strategies:

Using a 12-inch ruler, there should be no results over 12.  The purpose of 
measuring items is to link the concept level and the symbolic level.  
Measurements can be linked with addition.  Display a 12-inch ruler and have 
students identify it.  Explain that an inch is a customary unit used to measure 
length and width.  Stress that the distance between numbers on an inch ruler is 
1 inch.  Ask:  How do you measure with an inch ruler?  (Line up the left end of 
an object with the left end of the ruler and see how long the object is.)  Work 
independent with several students.  Point out that about how many means 
measuring to the nearest inch, not to the exact inch. 

Procedure:

One student can come to the front of the room and measure the length and width 
of an item.  The teacher or student will write both of the numbers on the 
chalkboard.  The two numbers are written as an addition problem.  The same 
student will write the correct answer on the chalkboard.  If student is unable 
to add the problem, the student will use the unifix cubes to find their answer.  
The student can use the tape measure to measure the length and width at the same 
time to check an answer.  Have enough items so that each child can participate.  

Extension:

Students can write the ten problems down on a piece of paper.  Use number skills 
to observe the associative and commutative properties of addition.  Example:  
3+4=7 and 4+3=7.  Students can make a written record of their combinations using 
all ten problems.