Lesson 99: Comparing length and height

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

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Objective

I can compare the length and height of objects. I can use words like longer, shorter, taller, and shorter and explain how I know.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Longer, shorter, taller, shorter

We use length to talk about how long something is from one end to the other. We use height to talk about how tall something is from bottom to top.

Comparing length

  • To compare length, line up objects so their ends match.
  • Look at which one sticks out more.
  • Say, for example, "The pencil is longer than the crayon".

Comparing height

  • To compare height, stand objects on the same surface.
  • Look at the tops and see which is higher.
  • Say, for example, "The glue stick is taller than the eraser".

Ordering three objects

  • Put three pencils in a row with ends lined up.
  • Find the shortest and the longest.
  • Say the order: "Shortest, middle, longest" or "shorter than" and "longer than".

In this lesson, we do not measure with numbers yet. We just compare and order using length, height, and comparison words.

Picture strip: Comparing classroom objects

Length — pencil and crayon

Height — glue stick and eraser

Guided Practice — Compare classroom objects

You will compare real objects from your home or classroom. You will use words like longer, shorter, taller, and shorter and then use the tracing pad.

  1. Pick two things: Choose a pencil and a crayon. Put them on the table so their ends line up.
  2. Compare length: Look to see which one sticks out more. Say a sentence like, "The pencil is longer than the crayon".
  3. Swap objects: Try a glue stick and a crayon. Line up the bottom ends. Say, "The glue stick is taller than the crayon".
  4. Order three things: Choose three pencils or three books. Line them up and find the shortest and the longest (or tallest).
  5. Explain your thinking: Ask the child to explain how they know, using words like length, height, longer, and shorter.
  6. Draw it: In the notebook, draw two or three simple objects and use arrows to show which is longer or taller.
  7. Use the tracing pad: Pick words such as long, short, tall, or height from the dropdown and trace them slowly. Add a tiny picture for each word.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: After you trace your words, write one short sentence, such as "The pencil is longer than the crayon." or "The glue stick is taller."

Practice 1 — Compare length

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 1]

Practice 2 — Compare height

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 2]

Practice 3 — Order three objects

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 3]

Quick Check — Comparing length and height

Answer each question about length, height, and comparison words. You may use real objects to help you think.

1) What does length tell us?

Length is how long something is from one end to the other.

2) What does height tell us?

Height is how tall something is from the bottom to the top.

3) Two pencils are lined up at one end. One sticks out more. What can you say?

If it sticks out more, it is longer.

4) Which words help us compare length?

We use longer and shorter to compare length.

5) Which words help us compare height?

We use taller and shorter to compare height.

6) A glue stick and an eraser are standing on the table. The glue stick reaches higher. Which sentence is true?

The object that reaches higher is taller.

7) Why do we line up objects at one end when we compare?

Lining up ends makes the comparison fair.

8) You have three pencils. Pencil A is the shortest. Pencil C is the longest. Where does Pencil B belong?

If A is shortest and C is longest, B is in the middle.

9) Which sentence is correct?

Taller means it reaches higher than the shorter one.

10) A book and a notebook are lined up along the bottom. The book is higher. What does this tell you?

If it is higher when lined up, it is taller.

11) Which question is about length?

Asking which is longer is a length question.

12) Which question is about height?

Towers of blocks are compared with height.

13) A ruler and a crayon are lined up. The crayon stops before the end of the ruler. Which is true?

If it ends earlier, it is shorter.

14) Why is it important to compare objects carefully?

Careful comparing helps us explain our thinking clearly.

15) You compare two pencils and say, "This one is longer." What should you do next to show good maths thinking?

Explaining how you compared the objects shows strong maths thinking.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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