How Big Is Big?

NCTM Standards

Measurement: Size

Patterns and Relationships

Materials

• reference books that have size information on the various animals listed in the story
• rulers or yardsticks
• string or yarn
• masking tape
• markers

1. Divide the class into groups of four or five children. Explain that each group is to choose one of the animals from the story and find out its actual size. Help each group use the reference books to find the size of their creature. Then go outside on the playground or to the gym and have groups use rulers or yardsticks to lay out a piece of string or yarn the length of their animal. Use a piece of tape to designate a starting line at which each group should begin to measure, so that you will be able to compare lengths.
2. When measurements are completed, have the groups arrange the lengths of string or yarn from smallest to largest. Ask each group to label their string with the name and length of their animal. Talk with children about the relative sizes of the animals.