MAFS.2.MD.1.3 Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters.

Cognitive Complexity Level: 2 – Basic Application of Skills and Concepts

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to… 

  • Estimate the length of an object before measuring it
  • Use precise language when measuring

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to…because teachers:

  • Provide opportunities for students to develop a referent for a unit of measure and talk about it. For example, an inch is about the length of one knuckle to the next.
  • Provide tasks where students are asked to estimate lengths before measuring
  • Model estimating and estimation language
  • Provide opportunities for students to discuss their estimations

 [divider] [/divider] Questions to ask students:

  • Ask:  About how long do you think this textbook is?  Why do you think that is a good estimate?
    • Sample answer that would indicate understanding:  The student would say that it is about 12 inches long, because it looks like it is about the length of the rulers we have been using to measure.
    • Sample answer that indicates an incomplete understanding or a misconception:  The student might say that the book is about 2 inches long and not really have a reason.  OR   The student might say that the book is about 12 feet long, because it is about the length of the ruler we have been using to measure.

[divider] [/divider] Additional Resources:

Additional in depth content knowledge

Video:

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/5002-understand-estimation/

[divider] [/divider] Sample Formative Assessment Tasks:

Circle the object that is about a foot long. Put an X on the object that is about a meter long.

[divider] [/divider] Resources/Tasks to Support Your Child at Home:

  • Have your child choose objects to measure the length of at home using a ruler.  Before they measure the length, have them estimate the length based on the length of one inch/centimeter or whichever unit you choose.  You can also give them benchmarks such as:  the width of your pinky is about one centimeter, the distance between your thumb nuckle and end of your finger is about an inch.  After they estimate, have them measure the actual length and compare.
  • LearnZillion Instructional Video: Measure Using a Ruler