Teaching article
Where does this ruler's measurement begin?
Match the object's beginning with the scale's zero rather than the ruler's physical edge.
Some rulers have space before the zero mark. Put an object beside the scale and ask children to locate the measurement origin, rather than assuming the physical edge of the tool is always the starting point.
A ruler may have material before its zero mark; that extra edge is not part of the measured interval.
Follow the scale from zero to the endpoint
Locate zero on the scale. Align the strip's start. Read the endpoint using the stated unit.
Identify zero on the scale rather than assuming the physical edge is the origin. Check the endpoint against the same scale.
The ruler edge and zero mark can differ. Where does the measurement actually begin?
Use a large printed scale.
Resources
- Reflection Journal Template — Use the blank reflection space for observations; write the measurement units and setup separately.
Further reading
Read next
- Perimeter: trace the boundary you intend to measure
- Time a process without turning children into competitors
- Ask a graph a question its data can answer
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