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Measures
Objectives
To measure using centimetres.
To understand there are 10cm in a decimetre.
Resources
Abacus Workbook 1 | Ready-made decimetre strips from Lesson 1 | 1cm cubes | Large sheet of plain paper | Damp string
Vocabulary
measure | decimetre (dm) | centimetre (cm) | long(er) | short(er) | length | width
Today's Lesson
Introduction
Examine the 📄 decimetre strips again with your student, pointing out that each strip is divided into 10.
Say, ‘This is because it is ten centimetres long.’ Show this by laying ten 1cm cubes along a 1dm strip.
Say, ‘A centimetre is a very small unit and is useful for measuring smaller things. A centimetre is used to measure things by people all over the world. It is always the same!’
Ask your student to put their finger on one space on their decimetre strip. One centimetre is about one finger wide.
Demonstrate measuring the length of your foot to the nearest whole cm using several paper decimetre strips and cutting the last one to the exact length. Be sure to count in 10s and 1s, not just 1s.
Main Activity
Give your student a large sheet of plain paper and ask them to draw round their own foot and then to measure its length in centimetres by using the decimetre strips.
Measure to the nearest cm, using several dm strips so your student can cut the last one to the right length.
Next, challenge your student to use damp string to measure the length of the foot outline.
Ask them to record the two measurements on the drawing of their foot.
You may be able to challenge your student to measure to the nearest ½cm.
Extra Challenge
Draw round your own outstretched hand and show your student how to measure a hand span.
Ask, ‘Do you think your hand span will be more or less than 20cm?’
Ask your student to draw around their hand and to use paper decimetre strips to measure their hand span to the nearest cm, recording this on the drawing. Compare their handspan to those of other members of the household by ordering them in order of size!
Workbook
To help your student consolidate their learning from today, please ask them to complete the activities on page 48 of Abacus Workbook 1.