Favourite Pencils – Length

Launch:Get out your pencil case and collect your pencils. What is your favourite pencil? How can we measure this?

How do we know who has the longest pencil? Who has the shortest?

Model how the pencil lengths need to be at the same starting point. 

Choose a non-standard unit (e.g., paperclips).

Place them end to end beside a pencil, making sure there are no gaps or overlaps.

Count the number of units and say, “This pencil is 5 paperclips long.”

We Do

In partners work out who has the longest pencil using unifix blocks.

What is your favourite pencil.

Who has the longest pencil on your table. Who has the shortest?

 Who has the longest in the room? Who has the shortest? How can we compare?