2.MD.A.4 - About the Math, Learning Targets, and Increasing Rigor

Full Standard

Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Measurement Topic

This standard is reported on the report card in these quarters as follows:

About the Math

Skills and concepts below are learning goals for this standard.

• Measure the length of an object in a given unit.
• Find the difference in length between two objects in terms of a standard unit.

Ask students to visually compare two or more objects. Which object is longer? shorter? or in between to objects. Then move to actual measurements. How much longer is your desk than the table? How can you find out? It is also important for students to compare lengths that are not in straight lines. Place yarn or tape on the floor in curvy configurations and ask students which is longer. Ask students to figure out if it is longer to walk to the gym or the cafeteria? How can we find out? When students are comparing lengths of objects they are internalizing the meaning of length and distance. Essential vocabulary for this standard includes: length, unit, inch, foot, centimeter, meter, and difference. Visit the online dictionary Links to an external site. for vocabulary support.

Progression of Standard within Grade 2

This progression informs how to develop the standard within the grade level. This progression is provided by HCPSS Elementary Mathematics.

Progression of this Standard Across Grades

This progression is informed by the Achieve the Core Coherence Map Links to an external site.. Information is not the complete standard.

TASKS

These tasks can be used with small group or whole group instruction.

• Sydney realized her chair is taller than her desk. How can she find out how much taller her chair is than her desk? Gather measurement items and determine which unit you want to use to measure both items. Estimate how tall each item is. Measure both items. How do the actual heights compare to your estimates? What was the difference between the heights? Was there a different unit you could of used to measure the heights?
• Draw two different items in your classroom in your journal. Choose which unit you will use to measure them. Estimate the height and then measure both items. How do the actual heights compare to your estimates? What was the difference between the heights? Was there a different unit you could of used to measure the heights?
• Display 2 pieces of yarn of equal length. Have one piece of yarn placed in a straight line while the other one is displayed in a curved shape. What do you predict about the lengths of the two pieces of yarn? How would you explain to a friend how to best measure the lengths of the pieces of yarn? Now actually measure the two pieces of yarn and determine which one is longer and by how much.
• Have students find a partner with a pencil. Compare the size of your pencil with the size of your partner’s pencil. What is the difference between the two pencils in centimeters? What about the difference in inches?
• Find five items in the room that are smaller than your pencil. How much smaller than your pencil are they?
• Find an item in the room that is about twice the size of your pencil. How do you know?
• Alyssa has a piece of railroad track that is 10 inches long. Trey has a piece of railroad track that is 23 centimeters. Whose train track is the longest? Use your ruler to draw a picture to help solve this problem.

SLIDE-BASED TASKS 

  These links are HCPSS created instructional tasks. These tasks are provided in Google slides.  These tasks should be used for inspiration and resources, but instruction should start with students having the opportunity to engage with the math first (often involving physical and/or visual models) followed by discussion and explicit instruction to ensure student understanding.

Additional Tasks 

  These links provide instructional ideas connected to this standard. 

• Measurement Olympics Links to an external site. (Georgia Department of Education, pg. 81)
• The Longest Trainyard Download The Longest Trainyard
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Class Picture Heights Download Class Picture Heights
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Stuffed Animal Measurements Download Stuffed Animal Measurements
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Measurement Hunt Links to an external site. (NCTM Illuminations lesson plan) [NOTE: NCTM membership required for access to lesson.]

Tasks From Print Resources

  These publications have been provided for each school. They are typically stored in team closets or the media center. Check with your team leader if you cannot find them. 

Print Resources

Book Thumbnail	Book Title	Grade	Pages
	Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics	K-3	229 (Crooked Paths, Activity 8.3) Crooked Paths Links to an external site. BLM 228 (Longer, Shorter, Same, Activity 8.1) 229 (Length Hunt, Activity 8.2)
	Groundworks: Reasoning About Measurement	2	1-6 (Pencils) 80-86 (Maps)
	Number Sense	1-2	40-41 (How Long is a Handful)
	Math In Practice Teaching Second-Grade Math	2	Module 10

Centers

  These print resources can be used during independent or center time. These resources could also be used as lesson seeds.

• Worm Measurement Download Worm Measurement
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Using Cuisenaire Rods to Measure Download Using Cuisenaire Rods to Measure
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Wingspan Vs Height Download Wingspan Vs Height
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Slide It Download Slide It

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE/HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

  These resource sheets can be used for independent practice, homework, or assessment. They are intended to reinforce procedures and concepts. They should not be used as a source of direct instruction or whole-group practice.

• Measure to Compare Length Links to an external site.
• Measure to Find the Difference in Length Links to an external site.
• Find Difference in Length 2 Links to an external site.
• Which Is Longer? Links to an external site.
• Find Difference in Length_4 (performance task) Links to an external site.
• Measure to Find the Difference in Length 5 Links to an external site.
• Find the Difference in Length 6 Links to an external site.

Full Standard

Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Measurement Topic

The standard is reported on the report card through these measurement topics. Expand the measurement topic for a description of what students who meet expectation are able to do.

2nd Grade Students Learning 2nd Grade Standards by Measurement Topic

1st Grade Students Learning 2nd Grade Standards by Measurement Topic

2MD4 Anecdotal Data Collection Tool Links to an external site.

Visit the SBIR (Standards Based Instruction and Reporting) page in Course Essentials for more information and clarification. 

Rubric (for thinking and reasoning evidence)

Use this rubric for observation and constructed responses (tasks that require explanation, justification, and/or representation).

Rubric for Tasks (pdf) Links to an external site.

Exemplars for this standard (if available)

These samples are examples of what it might look like for a student who MEETS EXPECTATIONS, is MAKING PROGRESS, and/or is MAKING LIMITED/NO PROGRESS.