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Measuring Length Activity

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Measuring Length Activity

Kahu, Harrison and Georgia are getting ready for a netball skills challenge. Use centimetres (cm) and metres (m). For measuring tasks, use a ruler or tape measure and start at zero. Estimate first, then check.

Choose a tool and unit

Think about what would make measuring clear and accurate.

1.The team wants to measure the length of a netball court. Which tool is the best choice?

A 15 cm ruler
A tape measure several metres long
A teaspoon

2.Choose the most sensible unit for the length of a pencil: centimetres (cm) or metres (m).

3.A ribbon starts at the 0 cm mark and ends at 18 cm on a ruler. How long is the ribbon?

Measure and compare

Use the measurements below to solve the challenge questions.

Kahu’s ribbon: 24 cm

Harrison’s ribbon: 17 cm

Georgia’s skipping rope: 2 m

Practice marker strip: 150 cm

4.How many centimetres longer is Kahu’s ribbon than Harrison’s ribbon? Show or explain your subtraction.

5.Which is longer: the 2 m skipping rope or the 150 cm marker strip? Remember that 1 m = 100 cm.

6.True or false? A metre is shorter than a centimetre. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

7.The team needs 3 m of boundary tape. They have 120 cm. How many more centimetres of tape do they need?

Estimate, measure and make

Try these practical measuring challenges with a ruler or tape measure.

8.Estimate how long your pencil is in centimetres. Then measure it from zero and record both lengths. Answers will vary; an accurate measurement must match the pencil.

9.Draw a straight line that is exactly 10 cm long using a ruler. Measure it to check. What should the ruler show at the two ends?