Inch By Inch   

Objectives: 
Introduce unit of measurement:  inch.   
Introduce ruler as measurement tool. 

Materials: Inch By Inch by Leo Lionni,  Measuring Inch By Inch Math Module  and computer with Internet connection.  

Book Overview: 
To keep from being eaten, an inchworm measures a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs and a nightingale's song.

Procedure: 

  1. The teacher will begin by reviewing nonstandard units of measurement. 

  2. Introduce the fact that since we learned in previous lessons we cannot use objects to measure accurately, we need standard units of measurement.  

  3. Set purpose for reading:  What do students hear in the story that is a standard unit of measure?  

  4. Read story.  Discuss worm's problem.  

  5. What can we use to measure inches with?  

  6. Introduce ruler as a tool of measurement. 

Web Activities:  Students can play game at Funbrain:  Measure it!   Continue work on Measurement Book Project (see Web Activities).

Assessment:   Print and use the student response sheets/assessments in Measuring Inch By Inch Math Module.

Home Learning:  Choose five things and measure with an inch ruler.  

Extension Activity: Inch Art:  Distribute strips of colored construction paper pre-cut in lengths varying from 1 to 12 inches. Give each student at least six strips. Each strip should be a precise length (for example, exactly 4 inches long or exactly 9 inches long). Have students put away their rulers and estimate the length of each strip; they can use black marker or crayon to mark their estimates on the strips.

Then have students check their estimates and write the actual measurement on the strip. How many estimates were exactly correct?

After all strips have been measured and labeled, provide each student with a sheet of white paper. Challenge students to use their imaginations as they use their paper strips to create an object. (For example, one student might use her or his strips to form a flower.) When students are done , they should glue their colored strips on the white paper to fix them in place.

Finally, have students total the number of inches of paper strips they used to create their objects, and give their artwork a title that includes the number of inches used. For example: My 35-Inch Flower.

Have students create a story map of the worm's adventures. 


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