Standard

Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.

Student language:

• "I can use different tools to measure objects."

Explanation

About the Math, Learning Targets, and Rigor

This standard calls for students to measure the length of objects in both customary (inches and feet) and metric (centimeters and meters). Students should have ample experiences choosing objects (rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, tape measures, etc.), identifying the appropriate tool and unit, and then measuring the object. The teacher should allow students to determine which tools and units to use.

Note: They will need to be taught how to actually use a ruler appropriately to measure the length of an object especially as to where to begin the measuring It is important to help students locate the starting point on the measuring instrument, especially when some have a protected edge.

Ask students questions such as:

• “Do you start at the end of the ruler or at the zero?” (helps them focus on where to start on the instrument.)
• “Why do we have to start at the zero?”
• “Are we looking at the spaces or the tic marks on the rulers?”

Important Tip

Insist that students always estimate lengths before they measure. Estimation helps them focus on the attribute to be measured, the length units, and the process. After they find measurements, have students discuss the estimates, their procedures for finding the measurements and the differences between their estimates and the measurements.

Resources

Videos

• Khan Academy
  • scroll to find 2.MD.1, click on a skill, watch videos on left side in each skill
• Learn Zillion
• Virtual Nerd

EngageNY Lessons

Extra Practice

• North Carolina Tasks
• Illustrative Math Tasks
• Howard County Tasks
  • Click on 2nd grade at bottom, then 2.MD.1
• Common Core Sheets

Released Assessment Questions

2.MD.1 Student Example

Back to 2nd grade homepage