Keep a picture of each unit in mind: an inch is about a paperclip, a foot is a ruler, a meter is a big step. Ask which unit gives a sensible number.
estimatea close guess
foot12 inches, about a ruler
yard3 feet, about a big step
meter100 centimeters, a bit longer than a yard
Watch for: Picking the unit by the number alone: a 1 yard book. Mixing up feet and yards, or centimeters and meters. Measuring before guessing, so the guess isn't a guess.
At home: Guess the length of a table, a bed or a hallway, then measure it. Talk about how close the guess was.
Sample sheet and answer key
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Estimating length · 2.MD.A.3
NameDate
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
About how long?
Circle the unit that makes sense.
Your hand is about 12 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A school bus is about 12 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A pencil is about 18 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A door is about 7 ___ tall.inchesfeetyards
A paper clip is about 3 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A classroom is about 10 ___ long.inchesyards
A book is about 1 ___ long.footyard
Guess, then measure
Cover the ruler and write a guess first. Then measure. How close were you?
centimeters
centimeters
Sheet
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Estimating length · 2.MD.A.3
Answer key
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
About how long?
Circle the unit that makes sense.
Your hand is about 12 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A school bus is about 12 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A pencil is about 18 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A door is about 7 ___ tall.inchesfeetyards
A paper clip is about 3 ___ long.centimetersmeters
A classroom is about 10 ___ long.inchesyards
A book is about 1 ___ long.footyard
Guess, then measure
Cover the ruler and write a guess first. Then measure. How close were you?
11centimeters
9centimeters
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.
