Understanding Customary Units
Let's explore the tools we use to measure length!
In the United States, we use special units called "customary units" to measure how long or tall things
are. The main ones are inches, feet, yards, and miles. Each one is perfect for measuring different sized
objects!
Meet the Measurement Team
1️⃣ Inches - Great for small things like pencils or phones
2️⃣ Feet - Perfect for measuring people or furniture
3️⃣ Yards - Best for measuring rooms or short distances
4️⃣ Miles - Used for long distances like between cities
Let's Practice Choosing!
Example 1: What would you use to measure...
A pencil's length?
Inches
Feet
Yards
Example 2: What would you use to measure...
The length of your playground?
Inches
Feet
Yards
Parent Tips 🌟
- Kitchen measurements - When cooking, show how we use cups and teaspoons (volume) differently from inches and feet (length)
- Body rulers - Help your child remember that a foot is about the length of an adult foot, and an inch is about the length from the tip of their thumb to the first joint
- Scavenger hunt - Create a measurement scavenger hunt where they find objects that are about 1 inch, 1 foot, and 1 yard long