Line up the left ends and see which reaches furthest. For clues: if A is longer than B and B is longer than C, then A is longer than C too.
longerreaches further
shorterdoesn't reach as far
longestthe longest of all
shortestthe shortest of all
Watch for: Comparing things whose left ends don't line up. Picking the name said last in the clues instead of thinking it through. Writing the order from longest to shortest when it asks the other way.
At home: Lay three spoons, shoes or crayons side by side with one end lined up. Ask which is shortest and which is longest.
Sample sheet and answer key
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 1 · Ordering by length · 1.MD.A.1
NameDate
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Shortest to longest
The left ends line up. Write the letters in order.
shortestlongest
shortestlongest
shortestlongest
shortestlongest
Use the clues
Circle the name.
Toby's worm is shorter than Fern's. Fern's is shorter than Freddie's. Whose is longest?FernFreddieToby
Pip's pencil is longer than Fern's. Fern's is longer than Freddie's. Whose is longest?FernPipFreddie
Fern's pencil is shorter than Moss's. Moss's is shorter than Toby's. Whose is longest?TobyFernMoss
Toby's worm is shorter than Moss's. Moss's is shorter than Pip's. Whose is longest?MossPipToby
Sheet
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 1 · Ordering by length · 1.MD.A.1
Answer key
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Shortest to longest
The left ends line up. Write the letters in order.
shortestBAClongest
shortestBCAlongest
shortestBCAlongest
shortestBCAlongest
Use the clues
Circle the name.
Toby's worm is shorter than Fern's. Fern's is shorter than Freddie's. Whose is longest?FernFreddieToby
Pip's pencil is longer than Fern's. Fern's is longer than Freddie's. Whose is longest?FernPipFreddie
Fern's pencil is shorter than Moss's. Moss's is shorter than Toby's. Whose is longest?TobyFernMoss
Toby's worm is shorter than Moss's. Moss's is shorter than Pip's. Whose is longest?MossPipToby
Answer key
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
