Measurement Mania

Our Toy Story theme included many measurement activities. We worked on the third grade standard of measuring accurately with a ruler to the nearest 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch. We also had many opportunities to discuss the difference between centimeters and inches. Further, we compared and contrasted intervals on a  number line to a ruler.

One of our first activities was "Pin the Parts on Mr. Potato Head."  We had a giant Mr. Potato.  Students had to measure the parts in both centimeters and inches before we could decorate the potato.

We had an "Infinity and Beyond" challenge.  We built a giant number line on the floor.  We measured the intervals so they were all equal.  Then, we placed different locations, like Pizza Planet and Andy's Room, along the number line.  We used the RC car from the movie to determine the distance between the different locations.  Last, students went back to their desks.  They had to make their own number line out of a pipe cleaner and beads.  The beads had to be in one inch intervals.  Then we used army men to solve word problems.

In "The Claw" activity, students had to reach in to the machine and grab out an alien.  The aliens were actually green Easter eggs.  Inside the alien, there was an object to measure next to a paper ruler.  Students had to determine if the they were measuring in centimeters or inches.  Then, there was a bit of a challenge. The object was not lined up with the edge of the ruler, so students had to know to count the intervals or subtract the starting point.

We also did an activity called "There's a Snake in My Boot."  We selected measurement word problems out of a pair of boots.  Students used a ruler and playdough to model the problem and discover the solution.

Thank you to Kori Markussen at True Tales of a Teacher, Amy Lemons at Step Into Second Grade, and Hope King at Elementary Shenanigans for your inspiration to make this Toy Story Transformation a success for my students.