Teaching students basic measurement principles is at the heart of mathematics education for younger students. There are so many strategies for introducing length, capacity, and mass in the classroom. Today I’m sharing some of my favourite hands on measurement activities and tools to make learning fun for your students!
Length
One of the first things I always begin with when introducing length is measuring the height of all my students and creating a classroom display. The students use paper ribbon to carefully measure each others height. We then pin each piece of paper ribbon to the wall and attach a photo. We can then have a discussion and introduce language like shortest, tallest, shorter, taller.
The following hands on measurement activity allows students to get away from their desks and explore:
- Give each student a non-bendy straw (or popstick) and give them a 3-minute challenge: to find something that is longer than their straw. When you’re finished, gather in a circle and each student can present their item to the class.
- Repeat the above activity but have your students find something that is shorter than their straw.
- Repeat again and find something that is exactly the same length as their straw. (This is the hardest challenge.)
Students love using a variety of manipulatives (blocks, counters, paperclips, matchsticks…) to practice their measuring skills. These hands on measurement activities will have your students engaged in their learning and it is perfect for rotations or centers.
Find the Measuring Length Activity here.
You most certainly can’t miss out on a FREEBIE. This simple worksheet requires students to trace around their foot, measure their foot with blocks and then compare their foot with peers.
Get the FREE worksheet.
Capacity
My favourite hands on measurement activities for teaching students about capacity always involve sand, water and rice! Here is a simple capacity activity that I use when introducing the concept.
- You will need two plastic/ paper/ foam cups that are almost the same size. Ideally one will hold 200ml and the other will hold 250ml. (It might take you a while to find them. Eventually, I found a 200ml cup that was slightly skinnier but taller than the other cup.)
- I get enough cups for students to have one of each cup in pairs or groups of three.
- We all went outside and sat in the sandpit together. In the sandpit, I had a variety of empty containers and lids for the students to use freely if needed.
- First, we made a prediction about which cup will hold the most sand. Most (if not all) students usually say the taller cup will hold the most.
- Then I give my students a challenge. They have 15 minutes to work with their team to find out which cup holds the most sand. They MUST be able to PROVE their answer. They can’t just come up and tell me which cup. They actually have to explain and show me how they know (which is obviously the hardest part).
- Enjoy the next 15 minutes observing the students and discuss/prompt when needed. Every year I always have at least one team that works it out (accurately) and can explain and show their answer.
- I love the amazement on their faces when they realise the tallest cup does not hold the most!
Want to check that your students understand capacity? I use this simple assessment to check my students’ learning using a range of different sized containers.
Another great tool is this simple worksheet/craft to help your students represent full, half full and empty.
Mass
Here are some of my favourite hands on measurement activities for teaching mass:
- Use hefting to predict whether something is heavier or lighter. To eliminate the assumption that bigger things are heavier, fill a pillowcase with feathers or bean bag fill and place it next to a brick. Ask students to predict whether the large pillowcase is heavier than the brick or not and then invite them to lift each. Gather as a group to discuss what you discovered.
- Get your students up and moving by allowing them to find different objects around the classroom to weigh on balance scales. Help them compare the mass of the different items by weighing them on the scales. Place one item in the balance scales and then help students predict how many blocks/counters/etc are needed to make their mass the same.
If you’re ready to consolidate it all, I use this cut and paste activity to help students demonstrate what they’ve learned. I love that this worksheet can be used in a small group or individually!
Want to Take it Further?
This hands on measurement activity book has got to be one of the most engaging and successful resources in my classroom. Once we have covered the concepts of length, capacity and mass I place these mini-workbooks on each student’s desk to complete one to two pages each morning when they first arrive. Parents love staying behind and watching their children complete the activities!
Want to see the booklet in action? Click here to see the video!
