Lesson Plan
Measure Up!
Students will be able to identify and use appropriate tools to measure length, weight, and volume, and convert between common units within each measurement system.
Understanding measurement helps students in everyday life, from cooking and building to understanding distances and sizes. This lesson provides practical skills they'll use constantly.
Audience
2nd Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on stations and guided practice.
Materials
Units of Measurement Slide Deck, Measurement Station Rotations Activity, Measuring Around Us Worksheet, Rulers (cm and inches), Measuring tapes, Balance scales with various objects (blocks, erasers, small toys), Measuring cups (different sizes), Water, Empty containers (various sizes), Pencils, and Whiteboard or chart paper
Prep
Lesson Preparation
15 minutes
Review the Units of Measurement Slide Deck and practice presenting it.
Gather all necessary physical materials: rulers, measuring tapes, balance scales, various objects for weighing, measuring cups, water, and empty containers.
Print copies of the Measuring Around Us Worksheet for each student.
Set up three measurement stations as described in the Measurement Station Rotations Activity.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-up (5 minutes)
5 minutes
Begin by displaying the first slide of the Units of Measurement Slide Deck.
Ask students: 'What does it mean to measure something?' Allow for a brief discussion.
Introduce the learning objective: 'Today, we're going to become measurement experts by exploring how we measure different things like length, weight, and how much liquid something holds!'
Step 2
Direct Instruction: Types of Measurement (5 minutes)
5 minutes
Using the Units of Measurement Slide Deck, go through the slides explaining length, weight, and volume.
Show examples of tools for each type of measurement.
Briefly explain common units (inches/centimeters for length, ounces/grams for weight, cups/liters for volume).
Step 3
Activity: Measurement Station Rotations (15 minutes)
15 minutes
Explain the three measurement stations using the Measurement Station Rotations Activity.
Divide the small group into even smaller sub-groups or have them rotate individually.
Guide students through each station, ensuring they understand the task and use the tools correctly.
Circulate and provide individualized support and clarification as needed.
Step 4
Wrap-up & Reflection (5 minutes)
5 minutes
Bring the group back together.
Ask students to share one interesting thing they measured or learned at the stations.
Distribute the Measuring Around Us Worksheet as an exit ticket or homework to reinforce concepts learned.
Slide Deck
What's Your Measure?
How do we know how big, how heavy, or how much something is?
Welcome students to the measurement lesson. Ask them what they think 'measurement' means. Connect it to real-life examples like baking or building. Briefly introduce the idea that we measure different things in different ways.
Measuring Length: How Long?
📏 Length tells us how long or tall something is.
- Tools: Rulers, Measuring Tapes
- Units: Inches, Feet, Centimeters, Meters
Explain that length tells us how long something is. Show a ruler and a measuring tape. Explain that we use inches and feet for shorter things and meters and kilometers for longer distances. Demonstrate measuring a pencil or desk.
Measuring Weight: How Heavy?
⚖️ Weight tells us how heavy something is.
- Tools: Scales (like a balance scale)
- Units: Ounces, Pounds, Grams, Kilograms
Explain that weight tells us how heavy something is. Show a balance scale. Explain that we use ounces and pounds for everyday objects and grams and kilograms for lighter or heavier items. Demonstrate by weighing two different objects.
Measuring Volume: How Much Space?
💧 Volume tells us how much liquid a container can hold.
- Tools: Measuring Cups, Graduated Cylinders
- Units: Cups, Pints, Quarts, Liters
Explain that volume tells us how much space a liquid or solid fills. Show measuring cups and different containers. Explain units like cups, pints, quarts, and liters. Demonstrate pouring water from one measuring cup to another.
Let's Get Measuring!
Ready to be a measurement master?
Today, you'll visit different stations to practice measuring length, weight, and volume with real tools!
Review the three types of measurement and their tools/units. Transition to the activity by explaining that they will now get to try measuring themselves at different stations. Emphasize teamwork and careful measurement.
Activity
Measurement Station Rotations
Welcome to your measurement adventure! You'll be visiting three stations to practice your measuring skills.
Station 1: Length Lab 📏
Materials: Rulers (cm and inches), measuring tapes, various classroom objects (pencils, books, desks, your arm, your shoe).
Instructions:
- Measure and Record: For each object listed below, use a ruler or measuring tape to find its length. First, estimate, then measure.
- Units: Try measuring some objects in inches and others in centimeters.
- Compare: Is your estimate close to your actual measurement?
| Object | Estimated Length | Measured Length (Inches) | Measured Length (Centimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your Pencil | |||
| Your Book | |||
| Your Shoe | |||
| Classroom Door |
Station 2: Weight Wonders ⚖️
Materials: Balance scale, various small objects (blocks, erasers, paperclips, small toys).
Instructions:
- Estimate: Pick two objects. Which one do you think is heavier? Write your prediction.
- Weigh: Place one object on each side of the balance scale. The side that goes down holds the heavier object.
- Record: Write down which object was heavier.
| Object 1 | Object 2 | My Prediction (Heavier) | Actual Heavier Object |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eraser | Paperclip | ||
| Block | Toy Car | ||
| Pencil | Small Rock |
Station 3: Volume Voyage 💧
Materials: Measuring cups (various sizes), water, several empty containers (cups, bowls, small bottles), funnels (optional).
Instructions:
- Estimate: Look at an empty container. How many cups of water do you think it can hold? Write your estimate.
- Measure: Use the measuring cup to fill the container with water, counting how many cups it takes.
- Record: Write down the actual volume.
| Container | Estimated Volume (Cups) | Actual Volume (Cups) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Cup | ||
| Small Bowl | ||
| Plastic Bottle |
Challenge Question: If your small cup holds 1 cup of water, and your small bowl holds 3 cups of water, how many small cups of water would you need to fill the bowl?