3rd Grade Measurement

Students in third grade are using measuring tools to collect data. Today they used rulers to measure the length of their classroom.

One important idea during this investigation is how to use measuring tools, specifically 12-inch rulers and yard sticks. We discussed that 1 yard is equal to 3 feet and that 1 foot is equal to 12 inches. I found it interesting that as students measured the room, they came up with answers like 21 feet, 29 inches. They were able to determine that 7 yardsticks was the same as 21 feet. What they did not think about was that 29 inches could be broken down into feet and inches.

After some discussion, we decided that 21 feet, 29 inches could be written as 21 feet + 12 inches + 12 inches + 5 inches. We then changed this to read 21 feet + 1 foot + 1 foot + 5 inches which is the same as 23 feet, 5 inches.

As you talk withyour child, talk about the idea of converting measurements. Ask questions like:

• What is another way to say 17 inches? (12 inches + 5 inches or 1 foot, 5 inches)
• How many inches are in 3 feet, 4 inches? (12 inches + 12 inches + 12 inches + 4 inches = 40 inches)