Children's Books
Measuring Penny. By Loreen Leedy. Illustrated by author. (1997). 32 p. Square Fish Publishing Company. (978-0805065725). Gr. 1-3.
This book follows Lisa as she completes her homework assignment, which was to measure something in a variety of ways using standard and nonstandard units. She measures her dog, Penny, using both standard and nonstandard units and summarizes the data in graphs and charts for students in the book.
You Can Use a Magnifying Glass. By Wiley Blevins. Illus. by Herman Alder Design and Caroline Anderson. (2003). 31 p. Children's Press CT Publishing Company. (978-0516273280). Gr. 1-2.
This book demonstrates to readers how to use a magnifying glass. Throughout the book, students are exposed to a wide variety of animals, nature, and the environment through vivid photographs.
This book demonstrates to readers how to use a magnifying glass. Throughout the book, students are exposed to a wide variety of animals, nature, and the environment through vivid photographs.
You Can't Taste a Pickle With Your Ear. By Harriet Ziefert. Illus. by Amanda Haley. (2002). 40 p. Blue Apple Publishing Company. (1929766688). Gr. K-2.
Each chapter of this book explains one of the different five senses and encourages students to think about the ways in which they use their senses everyday. This book could be a great introduction to how we make observations.
Each chapter of this book explains one of the different five senses and encourages students to think about the ways in which they use their senses everyday. This book could be a great introduction to how we make observations.
The Great Graph Contest. By Loreen Leedy. Illus. by author. (2005). 32 p. Holiday House Publishing Company. (978-0823417100). Gr. K-2.
This book follows the story of a graphing contest between Gonk the toad and Beezy the lizard. Children explore concepts such as data collection, graphic organizers, and graphing with emphasis on correct math, creativity, and neatness when graphing.
This book follows the story of a graphing contest between Gonk the toad and Beezy the lizard. Children explore concepts such as data collection, graphic organizers, and graphing with emphasis on correct math, creativity, and neatness when graphing.
Sorting. By Henry Pluckrose. Illus. by author. (1995). 32 p. Children's Press CT Publishing Company. (978-0516454580). Gr. K-2.
Students are introduced to the concepts of sorting and classifying objects based on multiple attributes. The book uses everyday objects and shows students different ways to sort and group them.
Students are introduced to the concepts of sorting and classifying objects based on multiple attributes. The book uses everyday objects and shows students different ways to sort and group them.
Web Sites for Kids
How Tall? - Interactive Game
Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat guide students through an activity in which students predict how tall an object is based on a variety of nonstandard units. After students have estimated the height of the object, the game helps students to check their answers by counting the nonstandard units with the corresponding numeral.
Sid the Science Kid "Pan Balance" - Interactive Game
Students are able to experiment with weights and a pan balance. They weight a variety of objects with the balance and have to find the amount of copper weights that weigh the same as the object!
The Fearless Flying Fleas Measurement - Interactive Game
This game allows students to measure different objects that the Fearless Flea will jump over using paperclip nonstandard units. The student must first estimate how long the object is and then test the actual measurement by moving paperclips to match the length of the object. This game can also be used for high-ability students by selecting a tougher level that uses standard measurement.
Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat guide students through an activity in which students predict how tall an object is based on a variety of nonstandard units. After students have estimated the height of the object, the game helps students to check their answers by counting the nonstandard units with the corresponding numeral.
Sid the Science Kid "Pan Balance" - Interactive Game
Students are able to experiment with weights and a pan balance. They weight a variety of objects with the balance and have to find the amount of copper weights that weigh the same as the object!
The Fearless Flying Fleas Measurement - Interactive Game
This game allows students to measure different objects that the Fearless Flea will jump over using paperclip nonstandard units. The student must first estimate how long the object is and then test the actual measurement by moving paperclips to match the length of the object. This game can also be used for high-ability students by selecting a tougher level that uses standard measurement.
Teacher Resources - Lessons/Activities
All Sorts of Seeds! - Lesson
In this lesson plan, students are able to sort the seeds in different fruits and vegetables based on numerous attributes, such as the number, size, and color of the seeds. The teacher will then help students to create real bar graphs of the seeds in their science journals based on these various attributes.
How Many Letters Are In Your Name? - Lesson
This lesson focuses on introducing the concept of graphing to organize information. The teacher leads students to create a graph of the number of letters in each student's name. Comprehensive questions are then asked to gauge students' understanding of the information in the graph.
Magnify It! - Lesson
Students are introduced to using magnifying glasses to make observations in this lesson. Initially, objects are observed and illustrated at near, middle, and far distances without a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses are then distributed to the class and they illustrate their view of the object at near, middle, and far distances again. Students will learn that magnifying glasses make objects bigger and clearer to observe.
How Big is a Foot? - Lesson
This lesson introduces students to the concept of nonstandard units of measurement. The teacher reads aloud the book, "How Big is a Foot?," and students use their own feet as a nonstandard units of measurement to measure objects in the classroom and at home.
In this lesson plan, students are able to sort the seeds in different fruits and vegetables based on numerous attributes, such as the number, size, and color of the seeds. The teacher will then help students to create real bar graphs of the seeds in their science journals based on these various attributes.
How Many Letters Are In Your Name? - Lesson
This lesson focuses on introducing the concept of graphing to organize information. The teacher leads students to create a graph of the number of letters in each student's name. Comprehensive questions are then asked to gauge students' understanding of the information in the graph.
Magnify It! - Lesson
Students are introduced to using magnifying glasses to make observations in this lesson. Initially, objects are observed and illustrated at near, middle, and far distances without a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses are then distributed to the class and they illustrate their view of the object at near, middle, and far distances again. Students will learn that magnifying glasses make objects bigger and clearer to observe.
How Big is a Foot? - Lesson
This lesson introduces students to the concept of nonstandard units of measurement. The teacher reads aloud the book, "How Big is a Foot?," and students use their own feet as a nonstandard units of measurement to measure objects in the classroom and at home.
Teacher Resources - Assessment
Exploring Measurement with Nonstandard Units - Worksheet
This worksheet assesses a student's ability to use nonstandard units of measurement such as unifix cubes, paperclips, and crayons. This will be a necessary skill for students to master prior to measuring movement in nonstandard units.
Ferris Wheel Making a Graph - Worksheet
This worksheet assesses a student's ability to create a bar graph. Students are to count the animals on the ferris wheel and color in the appropriate amount of animals on the bar graph.
This worksheet assesses a student's ability to use nonstandard units of measurement such as unifix cubes, paperclips, and crayons. This will be a necessary skill for students to master prior to measuring movement in nonstandard units.
Ferris Wheel Making a Graph - Worksheet
This worksheet assesses a student's ability to create a bar graph. Students are to count the animals on the ferris wheel and color in the appropriate amount of animals on the bar graph.