This teaching slides resource introduces students to informal unit tape measures, building understanding of why consistent measuring tools matter and how to make and use them.
Slides open by revisiting length as a concept before moving into measuring tools — exploring why using different units makes it hard to compare lengths, and why a tape measure makes it easier to keep track of repeated units. The "I do" sequence then models how to make a paperclip tape measure using the make, mark, move strategy, working through each step one at a time. Check slides ask students to apply their understanding, including choosing the best unit for a tape measure and using a tape measure to find the height of an object.
What's included:
Introductory slides on length (how long an object is end to end, height, and distance between two points), why using different units makes comparison difficult, and why a tape measure helps keep track of repeated units
Step-by-step slides modelling the make, mark, move strategy using paperclips to create a tape measure
Practice slides to identify the best unit for a tape measure