Lesson objective: Practice comparing lengths and heights.
This lesson helps to build procedural skills by comparing the attributes of length and height. Length and height is used here because most common objects can be compared by these dimensions. This work develops students' understanding that a single object may have multiple attributes that are measurable.
Students will sort through different size strips of paper, some long, some short, some the same length. They will compare lengths by starting at a common end point (base). They will work in groups to organize their paper strips from shortest to longest. They will draw and label their work while using vocabulary such as shorter, longer, or same length.
Next, students will sort through linking cube stacks and compare their heights. They will organize their stacks from shortest to tallest. They will draw and label their work using vocabulary such as shortest, tallest, and same height.
We will dive deeper into the conceptual understanding previously taught by focusing on how to identify single attributes and begin to compare them to each other.
Students engage in Mathematical Practice 3 (Students will use mathematical language to justify their conclusions) as they discuss the process of lining up from a common base to compare lengths and heights.
Key vocabulary:
- attribute
- height
- length
- longer
- shorter
- taller
Special materials needed:
- Strips of paper (various lengths)