2.MD.A.1 - About the Math, Learning Targets, and Increasing Rigor

Full Standard

Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.

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.

• Explain how a ruler, yardstick, meter stick, and measuring tape works.
• Select and use an appropriate tool to measure an object.
• Measure an object using a tool. 

Selecting an appropriate tool for measuring is an important life-skill. Understanding that length is the difference between two points allows us to use any tool flexibly. Students do not need to line up one end of a 5 inch pencil with the 0 on the ruler to find that it is 5 inches long. It is important that students investigate starting with any number on the ruler and subtracting the difference between the beginning and ending points. (see image below) For example, the 5 inch pencil below remains 5 when is is aligned with the 6 and 11 or 3 and 8 or 0 and 5 on the ruler. Essential vocabulary for this standard includes: length, tool, unit of measure, ruler, inch, foot, yard, yardstick, meter, meter stick, and measuring tape 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.

• Distribute rulers to the students. Have students identify first by estimating and then and measure four items that are less than a foot, about a foot, and more than a foot.  Repeat this activity using other measurement items such as less than 20 centimeters, about 20 centimeters, and more than 20 centimeters.
• Have rulers out and put students i groups of two. Have everyone try to measure the partners head. Give them time to complete this task, record the measurement, and discuss results. Then show them measuring tape and have them remeasure. Were they close to the measurement they recorded using the ruler?
• How many objects can you find that are longer than 8 inches?  How long are they and how much longer are they?
• Measure the length of the classroom in feet.  Then measure the classroom using your own feet.  How do the results compare?
• Is inches the right unit of measurement to use in measuring the length of the hallway? Why or why not?
• What three items can you find that when placed end to end will equal the same length as your height?
• Can you find something that is about twice as long as it is high? What are the exact measurements?
• You want to measure the square piece of carpet you will need to fit under your hamster’s cage. What do you need to measure and how will you measure it? What unit of measurement will you use and what tool will you use to measure it?

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. 

• How Big is a Foot? (Illustrative Math)
• Inch by Inch Download Inch by Inch
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Measuring Paper Dolls  Download Measuring Paper Dolls 
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Yarn Ball Tangle Download Yarn Ball Tangle (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Who Is the Tallest Download Who Is the Tallest
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Who Has the King's Foot Download Who Has the King's Foot
  (Utah Core Academy Lesson)
• Measurement Scavenger Hunt, Pg. 45 Links to an external site. (Georgia Department of Education)

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	230 (How Long is the Teacher?, Activity 8.4)
	Hands-On Standards	1-2	106-107 (Standard Units) 108-109 (Inches and Feet) 110-111 (Choosing a Unit - length)
	Brain-Compatible Activities for Mathematics	2-3	82-85 (Measuring Tools) 89-91 (Me and My Shadow)
	Read It, Draw It, Solve It	2	50 98
	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.

• Heading Home Download Heading Home
   (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Measure Around the Room With an Inch Ruler Download Measure Around the Room With an Inch Ruler
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Measure Around the Room Using Centimeters Download Measure Around the Room Using Centimeters
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Measure around the Room Meter Stick Version Download Measure around the Room Meter Stick Version
   (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Measuring Lengths of Paper Download Measuring Lengths of Paper
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)
• Measurement With a Meter Stick Download Measurement With a Meter Stick
  (HCPSS-adapted resource)

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.

• Select Appropriate Tools Links to an external site.
• Select Appropriate Tools b Links to an external site.
• Select and Use Appropriate Tool Links to an external site.
• Select Tools and Measure in Inches Links to an external site.

Full Standard

Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.

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

2MD1 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.