Unit 4- Fish Lengths and Fraction Rugs

Your child will be comparing the lengths of objects by measuring them with a variety of units, such as cubes, paper clips, and inch tiles. We will also work on story problems about comparing lengths, learn how to tell time to the hour, and investigate halves and fourths. 

Activities to Try at Home 

Estimating Lengths Ask your child to help you estimate lengths in practical terms. For example, how many chairs can fit along one side of a table? How many steps does it take to walk from the kitchen to the front door? 

Shorter Than My Arm Have your child estimate which objects around the house are shorter than your child’s arm. Then have your child measure the objects to make sure. As an extension, choose a different body part or compare two lengths. For example, can you find something that is shorter than your leg but longer than your arm? 

Measuring with Hands and Feet Have your child choose an object or distance and measure it with his or her hands (wrist to fingertip) and feet (heel-to-toe steps). Then your child can record each object as a specific number of hands or feet. As an extension, your child can compare the measurements that other members of your family get when using their hands or feet. 

Marking Heights If you mark your child’s changing heights regularly on the wall, this is a good time either to look at that height chart with your child and talk about it or perhaps to start a chart if you haven’t been keeping one. You could also help your child put things in order by height—a group of boxes, some pieces of ribbon, or the child’s stuffed animals. Ask your child to talk about which is the shortest and which is the longest. If your child has difficulty putting several things in order, you could sort the objects into three groups—short, medium, and tall.