We are learning about measurement in class. So far, we have explored estimating and measuring lengths in cm and m (and mm in Grade 4). We've talked about time and made connections between different units of time. We have estimated and measured the mass and capacity of everyday objects, and have sorted food items by the way they are measured for sale. Here are a few ideas to help your child to practice measurement at home. These authentic problem solving activities make measurement real and help children to develop a better understanding of measurement concepts.
1. Give your child a job to check an analog clock for you and let you know when it is a particular time. "We need to leave for swimming in an hour and ten minutes. What time will it be?"
2. Use the calendar together. "It's Sam's birthday on June 4th. How many weeks from now is that?"
3. Keep track of the temperature. Weather apps allow you to have excellent conversations about the temperature over a series of days. It's also interesting to notice when the temperature is below or above the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius). Ask your child to explain the differences outside when the temperature is above and below zero.
4. Cut a piece of string to a length of 1 metre. Have your child estimate the length of a room in your house in metres. Use the string to check the estimate. Try another room. Your target is to increase the accuracy of the estimate by practicing. (We are beginning to talk about perimeter and area this week, so they can also estimate the perimeter - the distance around- the room and then check that). Using a metre string as a measuring tool helps children to see the metre as a unit, which they can then use as a benchmark for other lengths.
5. Spring is an excellent time to tidy up your pantry. Have your child sort dry and canned goods for you, noting the measurements on the containers. They can sort your foods into mL/L and g/kg categories. You can also ask them to put cans into order from least to greatest capacity. You can ask them to find three containers whose combined mass is about 1kg or 1L. This also helps them to practice estimation and addition to 1000!
For practice with clocks, try this link on a laptop (it's a flash tool). On this website (oswego.org) you can go to the math magician link and see a variety of games to use for practice as well. The Stop the Clock games provide great practice for recognizing times.
1. Give your child a job to check an analog clock for you and let you know when it is a particular time. "We need to leave for swimming in an hour and ten minutes. What time will it be?"
2. Use the calendar together. "It's Sam's birthday on June 4th. How many weeks from now is that?"
3. Keep track of the temperature. Weather apps allow you to have excellent conversations about the temperature over a series of days. It's also interesting to notice when the temperature is below or above the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius). Ask your child to explain the differences outside when the temperature is above and below zero.
4. Cut a piece of string to a length of 1 metre. Have your child estimate the length of a room in your house in metres. Use the string to check the estimate. Try another room. Your target is to increase the accuracy of the estimate by practicing. (We are beginning to talk about perimeter and area this week, so they can also estimate the perimeter - the distance around- the room and then check that). Using a metre string as a measuring tool helps children to see the metre as a unit, which they can then use as a benchmark for other lengths.
5. Spring is an excellent time to tidy up your pantry. Have your child sort dry and canned goods for you, noting the measurements on the containers. They can sort your foods into mL/L and g/kg categories. You can also ask them to put cans into order from least to greatest capacity. You can ask them to find three containers whose combined mass is about 1kg or 1L. This also helps them to practice estimation and addition to 1000!
For practice with clocks, try this link on a laptop (it's a flash tool). On this website (oswego.org) you can go to the math magician link and see a variety of games to use for practice as well. The Stop the Clock games provide great practice for recognizing times.