1. It’s all about
Measurement!
Developing Measurement Concepts and Skills

2. What is Measurement?
• The count of how many units are needed to
fill, cover, or match the attribute of an
object (such as length, width, volume,
weight, area) being measured.
• For example, to measure weight, which is a
pull of gravity or a force, the weight of the
object might first be applied to a spring.
Then the comparison is made by finding out
how many units of weight produce the same
effect on the spring.

3. Units…
just what are they?A unit is a constant amount that is used to
give value to the attribute.
Most people think of using rulers when they
speak about measuring. Rulers, scales,
protractors, or clocks are devices that
make the filling or covering process
easier.
Units can be anything, as long as they are a
consistent size and used in a consistent
manner.

4. Units can be any of these, as long as you are
consistent…
Attribute: Width
Units: straws,
toothpicks, pencils
How many units of
width cover the
height of the box?
Attribute: Area
Units: squares of paper,
tiles, squares of wood
Attribute: Volume
Unites: Cups of
beans, candy,
water, or rice
Note: These Units shown here are informal. Formal units
or common standard units, would be devices such as
rulers, protractors, or weights.

5. To Measure
Something…One must
1. Decide on the attribute to be measured
– The length, the height, or the weight, etc.
2. Select a unit that has that attribute
– inches, feet, pounds, etc.
3. Compare the units by filling, covering,
matching, or some other method, with the
attribute of the object being measured

6. English
Metric
There are two types of measurement systems:

7. English System
Inches Fractions
2
4
8
16
¼ ¾
The Whole Inch
First Half Second Half
1
/8
3
/8
5
/8
7
/8
1
/16
3
/16
5
/16
7
/16
9
/16
11
/16
13
/16
15
/16

8. 1. Find out how many parts the inches are divided into
Count the spaces in 1 inch
Denominator
2. Count the number of whole inches
Write down the number
3. Count the number of spaces after the last whole inch
Numerator
4. Reduce fraction, if necessary

9. Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Find Denominator
Count whole inches
Find Numerator
Step 4Reduce fraction, if necessary

10. The End