Lesson 100: Measuring with nonstandard units

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Shapes and Measurement

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Objective

I can measure how long something is using nonstandard units like paper clips or blocks. I can line the units up with no gaps, count how many there are, and say which object is longer or shorter.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Measuring with nonstandard units

Sometimes we measure length without using centimetres or a ruler. We can use nonstandard units such as paper clips, blocks, or hand spans.

What are nonstandard units?

  • They are same-sized objects we use to measure.
  • Examples: paper clips, linking cubes, building blocks, bottle tops.
  • We repeat the same unit again and again.

How to measure with units

  • Choose one kind of unit (for example, paper clips).
  • Line them up from one end of the object to the other.
  • Make sure there are no gaps and no overlaps.
  • Count how many units it takes. Say, "The pencil is 6 paper clips long."

Comparing with units

  • Measure two objects with the same units.
  • Compare the numbers you counted.
  • More units means a longer object.
  • Fewer units means a shorter object.

In this lesson, we use nonstandard units to build the idea of measuring length. We care about lining up units, counting carefully, and using comparison words, not about centimetres yet.

Picture strip: Measuring with paper clips

Pencil and paper clips

Compare with the SAME units

Guided Practice — Measure with paper clips or blocks

You will measure real objects using one kind of nonstandard unit (paper clips, cubes, or blocks). Then you will use the tracing pad to write important measurement words.

  1. Choose your units: Pick paper clips, cubes, or another same-sized object to use as your unit.
  2. Pick something to measure: Choose a pencil. Place it on the table in a straight line.
  3. Line up units: Put your units along the pencil, starting at one end. Make sure there are no gaps and no overlaps.
  4. Count the units: Count carefully: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6". Say, "The pencil is 6 paper clips long".
  5. Measure another object: Try a crayon or a toy car with the same units. Compare the numbers and say which object is longer or shorter.
  6. Record your work: In your notebook, draw a quick picture and write a sentence such as "The book is 8 blocks long".
  7. Use the tracing pad: Choose words such as unit, long, short, measure, or clip and trace them. Add a tiny picture of your measuring units under the words.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: After you trace your words, write one short sentence, such as "The spoon is 5 clips long." or "More blocks means a longer object."

Practice 1 — Measure objects with units

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 1]

Practice 2 — Compare lengths using unit counts

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 2]

Practice 3 — Write measurement sentences

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 3]

Quick Check — Measuring with nonstandard units

Answer each question about measuring with nonstandard units. You may use real objects and paper clips or blocks to help you think.

1) What is a nonstandard unit?

Nonstandard units are repeated, same-sized objects used for measuring.

2) Which of these could be used as nonstandard units?

We need units that are the same size, like identical paper clips.

3) What should you do first when measuring a pencil with paper clips?

Start at one end of the object and line up the first unit there.

4) When you place your units, how should they look?

Units should touch, with no gaps or overlaps, for a fair measurement.

5) The pencil is 5 blocks long. The crayon is 3 blocks long. Which is true?

More blocks means the pencil is longer than the crayon.

6) You measure a toy car and say, "It is 6 paper clips long". What does the number 6 tell you?

The number tells how many units fit along the object.

7) Why do we use the same kind of unit when we compare two objects?

Using the same unit makes the comparison fair and meaningful.

8) The spoon is 4 cubes long. The fork is 7 cubes long. Which sentence is correct?

7 cubes is more than 4 cubes, so the fork is longer.

9) Which question is about using nonstandard units?

Nonstandard units questions ask how many same-sized objects fit along an item.

10) You measure a book and count 8 blocks. What should you say?

We describe length by saying how many units long the object is.

11) If you leave big gaps between your paper clips, what happens?

Gaps make the number of units too small, so the measurement is not correct.

12) If your units overlap each other, what happens?

Overlapping units makes the measurement unfair and confusing.

13) Why do teachers use nonstandard units before rulers?

Nonstandard units build the idea of measurement before using standard tools.

14) Which sentence uses good maths language?

Good maths language tells how many units and compares clearly.

15) After you measure an object with nonstandard units, what is a good thing to do next?

Explaining your steps and what the number means shows strong understanding.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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