Measuring With Toys

Together, watch Murray and his friends experiment to find out how high different kinds of balls bounce. Explain:

• Measurement helps us tell size, distance, or quantity.
• Examples are: height, length, width, size, temperature, time, and weight.
• Examples of measurement words are inches, feet, hours, or degrees.

After watching, ask:

• “What did they want to find out?”
• “How did they test the balls?”
• “Which ball was the best bouncer?”

And…

Use measurement words as much as you can this week!  (“Let’s measure how tall you are,” “Which of your toys is the heaviest?”, and so on). Give a high-five anytime children use a measurement word.

Measure outside. Take a walk and bring along non-standard measuring tools, such as a piece of ribbon, paper towel tube, or shoe (or just use your hands). Investigate: “How tall is that bush?” or “How far can you jump?”

Count the steps. Have children count steps to different places. How many steps to the bathroom or the toy bin? Which one is farther?